College of Law

Order of Barristers Members Recognized for Excellence in Appellate Argument

by Diana Case | April 25, 2019

The Order of the Barristers is a national honor society for graduating law students who demonstrate exceptional skill in trial advocacy, oral advocacy, and brief writing in moot court or mock trial competitions. The society is highly selective and provides national recognition to top advocates across the country.

Below are the newest Toledo Law members:

  • McKenna Adams
  • Jenna Anthrop
  • Brandy Brown
  • Billy Jeffers
  • Joe Loftus
  • Jake Westfall
  • Jessica Worley

At Toledo Law, students seeking litigation experience and skills can participate in a variety of competitions.

Moot Court gives upper-level students the opportunity to practice their written and oral advocacy skills in mock appeals cases. Students travel to competitions nationwide to test their skills against other law school teams. Toledo Law teams are devoted to labor law, constitutional law, intellectual property law, business law, environmental law, and international law.

Students on the Ohio Attorney General's (OAG) Mock Trial Team compete in an annual trial competition sponsored by that office. Students gain exposure to every facet of a trial—they argue pretrial motions and evidentiary issues, deliver opening and closing arguments, and perform direct and cross examinations of witnesses. A sitting judge presides and a jury of practicing attorneys assesses the performances.

The annual Charles W. Fornoff Appellate Advocacy Competition begins in the spring of a student’s first year and continues into the following fall semester. The double-elimination tournament culminates with a final round held each fall in an auditorium packed with faculty, family members, and peers. The final panel of judges typically includes federal judges and state Supreme Court justices.

Professor Bryan Lammon coordinates inter-school appellate programs and competitions at Toledo Law and has co-coordinated the Fornoff Competition in the past. "Induction into the Order of the Barristers is an immense honor, and each of Toledo Law’s new members deserves this recognition," said Lammon. "They excelled in both internal and external competitions, dedicated hours of work to our advocacy programs, and grew tremendously as lawyers. I’m proud of them all."

"During the course of their law school careers, I have had the opportunity to interact with all of Toledo Law's newest members of the Order of the Barristers," said Professor Eric Chaffee, who currently coordinates the Fornoff Competition. "I can state unequivocally that each is deserving of this honor. All of them have bright futures ahead of them as lawyers. I am pleased that they are a part of our law school community."

Last Updated: 6/27/22