The University of Tennessee Winston College of Law advocacy teams capped a standout semester with national and regional victories, continuing their strong tradition of excellence in moot court, mock trial and transactional law.
L. Edward Bryant, Jr. National Health Law Transactional Competition, Loyola University School of Law
Virginia Pirkle (‘25), Taylor Roswall (‘25), and Alyssa Ward (‘25), all recent Winston Law graduates, captured the national championship at the 2025 L. Edward Bryant, Jr. National Health Law Transactional Competition at Loyola University School of Law in April. Competing against 20 schools from across the country, the team secured first place in what is widely regarded as the nation’s premier transactional health law competition. Winston Law had previously finished as national runner-up in 2021 and placed in the top five in 2023 and 2024. This marks the college’s first championship win.
Coached by Zack Buck, associate dean for faculty development and professor of law, the team developed a memorandum and presentation that proposed a sophisticated solution to a complex healthcare transactional problem.
Left to right: Virginia Pirkle, Taylor Roswall, Alyssa Ward, Zack Buck
Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition and Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition, Southern Region of the Black Law Students Association
Winston Law earned second place honors in both the 2025 Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition and the 2025 Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition, hosted by the Southern Region of the Black Law Students Association (SRBLSA). Winston Law students Jordyn Dickey, Elizabeth Landin, Jhed Manalo, and Tyrese Perry secured second place in the Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, in which teams offered opening statements, direct and cross examination of witnesses, and closing arguments. Recent graduate Kameron Johnson (’25) and Winston Law student Jaleigh Rogan finished second in the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition, where teams wrote briefs arguing on behalf of petitioner and respondent. Both competitions, held during the SRBLSA Regional Convention in February, brought together top teams from across the region. The Winston Law teams were coached by Dwight Aarons, associate professor of law; Kristina Kersey, assistant professor of law; and Tyler Dougherty, clinical teaching fellow.
Left to right: Tyrese Perry, Jhed Manalo, Kristina Kersey, Tyler Dougherty, Jordyn Dickey, Elizabeth Landin
The Closer, Baylor University School of Law
Joshua Rojas (’25), recent graduate of the Winston College of Law, was named champion of Baylor Law School’s The Closer, one of the nation’s most rigorous transactional law competitions. Held in January, The Closer is designed for students nearing graduation and simulates high-stakes, real-world deal negotiations, challenging participants to quickly analyze complex business transactions and advocate for their client’s interests. Competitors negotiate against peers in a series of head-to-head rounds, judged by experienced deal attorneys and business leaders. Rojas excelled in every stage, earning praise for his thorough preparation, strategic acumen, and professionalism, ultimately securing the top spot among an elite, invitation-only field of future transactional attorneys. This is Winston Law’s fourth time winning top prize in The Closer. Coached by Brian Krumm, associate professor of law, the college placed first in 2025, 2024, 2018, and 2017.
Left to right: Josh Rojas, Brian Krumm