Duke tops McGeorge for NAAC crown

Duke University School of Law has won the 2010-11 ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, effectively besting 207 teams spread across six regional competitions. University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law was second. Texas Tech University School of Law and University of Texas School of Law were the national semifinalists.

McGeorge and Texas tied for the National Best Brief award. Wilbert Vancol of the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law was the National Best Advocate.

My friend Joe Lester of Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law commented after my quarterfinal results post that it was a definite change to see the top four seeds make it to the semifinals. I'd agree; remember, before the break rounds started, I myself said that the seedings probably didn't matter given recent history. But a key change in this year's rules -- that of letting the higher seed choose its side (as opposed to deciding sides by coinflip, as many competitions do) -- was probably the difference maker. This year's problem was, at least in my opinion, heavily weighted in the Petitioner's favor. Nearly all of the schools picking their sides, both in Chicago and at the Seattle regional, chose Petitioner. And while it wasn't always true that Petitioner won (indeed, one of my own teams was knocked out arguing that side), the Petitioner team won in the finals.

So, perhaps that explains it. Perhaps it doesn't. Regardless, I think the new rule is great (you may remember that I started pushing for it two years ago) because it actually rewards those teams with higher seeds. Before, there was no real benefit to being ranked higher.

Anyway, congrats to Duke on a huge win, and to McGeorge for a very impressive finish.