Baylor Law Team Clinches First National Championship in 2023 ABA Client Counseling Competition

Baylor Law students Meghan Thomas (L) and Emma Scofield (R) speak with their 'client' during the final round of the 2023 ABA Client Counseling Competition while the judges take note of their client counseling skills. Not pictured, student coach Emily Ullom.

WACO -

The Baylor Law team of Emma Scofield, Meghan Thomas, and Student Coach Emily Ullom was named the 2023 ABA Client Counseling Competition National Champions on Saturday, April 1. This marks the first time Baylor Law has won this annual event that features teams from law schools across the United States competing in simulated client counseling scenarios.

The ABA Client Counseling Competition is designed to promote and encourage excellence in client counseling skills. The competition allows law students to develop and test their communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities in a simulated client scenario.

Twelve teams who were either Regional Competition Champions or Finalists competed over the weekend, demonstrating through as many as five interviews their ability to build rapport with their "clients," gather relevant facts, and provide pertinent legal advice. The teams had 45 minutes for each interview to respond to a hypothetical client scenario on contract and transactional law.

The Baylor Law team advanced to the final round to compete against Stetson University College of Law and the University of Oklahoma School of Law. After a lengthy deliberation, the judges declared Baylor Law the winner. Scofield and Thomas were praised for their professionalism, empathy, and ability to provide practical and effective legal advice to their client.

Team coach, Adjunct Professor, and Judge of the McLennan County Court at Law, Vik Deivanayagam, stated, "After spending a considerable amount of time with these women over the last few months, I knew they were winners regardless of the ultimate outcome. They are remarkable people, and I am happy for them." He added, "This team put in the hours of preparing, practicing, and competing. Success has provided them with validation for all their work. Now we look forward to the challenge of competing at the international level and showing others what future Baylor Lawyers can accomplish."

As the winners of the 2023 ABA National Client Counseling Competition, Scofield and Thomas will represent the United States at the International Client Counseling Competition in the Netherlands. More importantly, they have gained valuable experience and skills that will serve them well in their future legal careers.

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ABOUT BAYLOR LAW
Established in 1857, Baylor University School of Law is the oldest law school in Texas and one of the first west of the Mississippi River. It is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. With one of the lowest student-faculty ratios in the country, Baylor Law has a record of producing outstanding lawyers, many of whom decide upon a career in public service. Today the school has more than 7,800 living alumni and is proud alma mater to two governors, members or former members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, two former directors of the FBI, U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, justices of the Texas Supreme Court, and members of the Texas Legislature. In its law specialties rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranks Baylor Law’s trial advocacy program #2 in the nation. The National Jurist ranks Baylor Law as one of the "Best Schools for Practical Training," and one of the "Best Law School Facilities.” Committed to service, Baylor Law students consistently maintain one of the highest Pro Bono, public service, and community volunteerism rates in the nation and Baylor Law has received the prestigious Pro Bono Publico Award from the American Bar Association. Learn more at baylor.edu/law

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more at baylor.edu