Gordon & Rees will co-sponsor the 5th Annual Legal Eagle Closing Argument Competition on Saturday, June 11, 2016 from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Florida International University School of Law. This regional competition was first initiated in 2012 by Gordon & Rees Miami partner and former Chief Judge of Florida's 3rd District Court of Appeals, David Gersten.
The competition is a one-day single elimination competition open to all attorneys under 40 years old who are practicing in the 11th Judicial Circuit and admitted to the Florida Bar for less than seven years. Hosted by Legal Services of Greater Miami and the Dade County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, a $1,000 cash prize will be awarded to the winner.
Competitors will receive case material 72 hours before the competition, and are expected to develop closing arguments for both sides. The morning of the competition, the competitors will be randomly assigned to one side of the argument. Local circuit court trial judges will judge the competition.
Immediately following the final round, a perpetual trophy will be presented to the winner at a victory celebration and networking reception for judges, competitors, and supporters. The winner will earn the rank of Miami's Champion for one year, their name and their firm's name will be inscribed on the trophy along with the names of previous winners.
The Legal Eagle Closing Argument Competition co-chairs as well as last year's winner, Freddi Mack, will be on hand to answer questions about the competition. Proceeds from the competition provide critical financial support to Legal Services, which benefits more than 30,000 vulnerable clients.