Convention Wrap Up

The 42nd Annual SRBLSA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, was a major SUCCESS and the SRBLSA Board would be remiss if we did not give thanks to all competitors and convention attendees! This year's theme was "The YBE Movement: Young, Bold, & Empowered" and we welcomed OVER 300 students and attorneys. Despite the series of tornadoes and random snow, SRBLSA still showed up and showed out!

Networking and Workshops

On Wednesday, Bass Berry Sims welcomed all convention attendees to Nashville, Tennessee, also known as "Music City". Attendees were given the opportunity to listen to a welcome message from Congressman Jim Cooper and network with attorneys from Bass Berry Sims. On Thursday, convention attendees participated in community service with Nashville Cares, plenary sessions, an alumni reception, and social. This year's alumni reception was hosted by Vanderbilt University Law School where convention attendees were given the opportunity to meet Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and network with federal judges and local attorneys. Thursday night, convention attendees mingled with medical students from Meharry Medical College at our "Legal Malpractice" Social.

On Friday, attendees participated in a series of workshops and socials. The day started out with our "Living While Black" Social Action Town Hall where we discussed issues facing our generation. The town hall was followed by our "SRBLSA Fashion Show" where we modeled fashions from Brooks Brothers & Studio 615 styled by Mr. Renaldo Fears. After the fashion show, SRBLSA participated in a "School to Prison Pipeline" Advocacy Luncheon followed by our Brother 2 Brother & Sister 2 Sister discussions. The day ended with a social at Nashville's Lucy Blu.

On Saturday, attendees began the day with our annual Prayer Breakfast hosted by Bishop Joseph Walker of Mt. Zion Nashville Baptist Church, and continued the day with our Career Expo, Pre-Law Workshop Series hosted by Belmont Law School, Law Journal Symposium, and Branding Excellence CLE Workshop featuring Mr. Christopher Craft, author of O.P.E.N. Routine. All convention attendees received a free advanced copy of Mr. Christopher's Craft book. Saturday night, all attendees joined together for our wonderful Awards Gala. This year's gala speaker was Mr. Bomani Jones, Media Personality, host of "The Evening Jones", and frequent panelist on ESPN's "Around the Horn."

Competitions

Please join the SRBLSA Board in congratulating the following winners!

Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition
Team Awards
Champion: Stephanie Hilliard & Kandice Allen, John Marshall Law School-Atlanta
First Runner-up: Ronnie White & Camille Smith, Florida Coastal School of Law
Second Runner-up: Rashard Pendarvis & Courtney Littlejohn, University of South Carolina School of Law

Individual & Brief Awards
Best Petitioner Brief: Simone Bradshaw & Jessica Robinson, Faulkner University School of Law
Best Respondent Brief: Camille Smith & Ronnie White, Florida Coastal School of Law
Best Oral Advocate: Stephanie Hilliard, John Marshall Law School- Atlanta

Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition
Champion: Nova Southeastern School of Law
First Runner-up: Florida State University College of Law
Second Runner-up: Wake Forest University Law School
Best Advocates: Melanie Rolle, University of Florida School of Law & Mary McDonald, University of North Carolina School of Law

Community Service

SRBLSA members, convention attendees and delegates developed care packages for Nashville residents affected by the HIV/AIDS virus sponsored by Nashville Cares. Nashville Cares is a community-based AIDS service organization that provides education, advocacy, and supportive services to anyone affected by HIV and AIDS. Thanks to all attendees who volunteered their time and service to the Nashville area.

Chapter Awards

Please join the SRBLSA Board in congratulating the following chapter award winners!

Charlotte School of Law won the Largest Chapter in SRBLSA award. Regional Chapters of the Year: University of North Carolina (Small Chapter Division), University of Florida College of Law (Medium Chapter Division), and Stetson University Law School (Large Chapter Division).

SRBLSA Thanks Our Sponsors