The University of Tennessee’s Winston College of Law is pleased to announce the results of Advocates’ Prize 2025, the college’s premier appellate advocacy competition hosted annually by the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution in coordination with the Moot Court Board. This year’s Advocates’ Prize drew an exceptionally strong field of competitors and culminated in a final oral argument round that highlighted the remarkable advocacy skills of Winston Law students. The team of Jeffrey Ramsey and Kennedy Kreger, both 2L students, earned top honors after defeating 3L students Tylor Storey and Christina Williams. Ramsey also garnered the Spenser Powell Award for Best Advocate, the competition’s highest individual honor. In addition, Ramsey and Kreger earned the Best Brief Award, with, Storey and Williams as Runners-Up.
“For 50 years, the Advocates’ Prize has offered Winston Law students a rare platform to demonstrate their excellence in both written and oral advocacy, said Danny Schaffzin, director of the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution and teaching professor. “This year’s competition showcased extraordinary talent, with finalists emerging from an exceptionally competitive field of teams.”
The final round was judged by a distinguished panel of federal judges:
- The Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- The Honorable Katherine A. Crytzer, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- The Honorable John T. Fowlkes, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
This year’s finalists advanced from an impressive slate of teams, including:
- Addison Asher (2L) and Jordan Branchman (2L)
- Holly Boutcher (2L) and Anhelika Hall (2L)
- Samantha Brooks (3L) and Victoria Sevener (3L)
- Joe Espinal (2L) and Caitlin Galloway (2L)
- Christian Holley (2L) and Patrick Ragozzine (2L)
- Dylan O’Brien (2L) and Hank Pearson (2L)
Advocates’ Prize 2025 Chair Elijah Parkhurst authored the extensive appellate record that served as the case file for the competitors. Parkhurst was a member of last year’s Advocates’ Prize championship team and received the Spenser Powell Award.
Winston Law congratulates all 2025 participants for their hard work, professionalism and dedication, and extends appreciation to the judges, attorney and law student volunteers, faculty, and staff who made this year’s Advocates’ Prize competition such a success.