February 2019
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National Champions!
LSU Law students win John L. Costello National Criminal Trial Competition
LSU Law’s Advocacy Programs claimed another national championship in February after taking first place in the John L. Costello National Criminal Trial Competition in Fairfax, Va.

Team members Elise Benezech, Brooke Delaune, and Allena McCain faced off against 32 teams from law schools across the United States in the fast-paced, ever-changing Costello competition, and ultimately emerged as the 2019 national champions. The Costello competition provides teams with new evidence and new witnesses in each successive trial round, to more closely simulate the realities of criminal trial practice – teams must adapt their case presentation and develop new evidentiary arguments on the fly in each round.

LSU Law teams take first place,
national finalist, regional finalist titles
LSU Law traveling trial advocacy teams had a big February. Students Joe Heaton and Briana Falcon swept best brief, best oralists, and first place at the regional rounds of the Lefkowtiz National Trademark Law Moot Court Competition in Dallas. The team now advances to the national championships on March 16 in Washington, D.C. 

Other trial advocacy achievements this month include placing in the top 20 nationally, and regional finalist and regional semifinalist finishes.

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Honorable Stephen Higginson to deliver 2019 Rubin Lecture on March 19
The Honorable Stephen A. Higginson, federal judge on the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, will present the Judge Alvin B. and Janice G. Rubin Visiting Professor of Law Lecture on March 19 at the LSU Law Center. The lecture, titled “The Fifth Circuit, Summer of 1963: ‘A Causerie of … Ethics in Negotiation,'” will take place at 5 p.m. in the Robinson Courtroom.

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Join us for the Dodson maritime art dedication and lecture on March 8
Please join us for the dedication of the Richard "Jerry" Dodson Maritime Art Collection and a lively and informative maritime art lecture by J. Revell Carr, former president and director of the Mystic Seaport, America's leading maritime museum. Carr will speak on "Creativity, Courage, and Commerce – A Brief History of Ocean Trade" and provide context and commentary on the historical significance of the Dodson Collection donated to the LSU Law Center.

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Join us for the Dodson maritime art dedication and lecture on March 8
Monika Ehrman, Associate Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Oil & Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Center at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, will present the 2019 Liskow & Lewis Visiting Professorship in Energy Law lecture titled “Energy as a Fundamental Human Right.” The lecture is at 4 p.m. March 13 in the Robinson Courtroom with a reception to follow.

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LSU Law facult y take on students in
Cheney Joseph Memorial Mock Trial
The faculty has been summons to appear! We’re keeping the memory of former Vice Chancellor Cheney Joseph alive — and in a spirit that we know he’d love — with a friendly mock trial competition on March 28 to raise money for student scholarships. Put your money on either side by contributing to the LSU Law Scholarship fund in memory of Cheney Joseph. 

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Reunion Weekend 
Reunion weekend for the LSU Law classes of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009 will be held Oct. 25 and 26, and online registration is now open. Contact Missi Lightfoot ( mlightfoot@lsu.edu) if you have any questions.

Alumni News header
Photos of the 5 alumni honored as Distinguished Alumni
The LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center will honor five of its Distinguished Alumni at a ceremony March 22 at the InterContinental New Orleans. S. Gene Fendler and Frank L. Maraist will be recognized as Distinguished Alumni of the Year, and Timothy F. Daniels, Christine Lipsey, and John T. Nesser III will receive Distinguished Achievement awards.

For ticket or sponsorship information, call 225-578-8343 or email cbriede@lsu.edu. Tickets and tables for the event may also be purchased online.

Feb. 22: Barrister's Bowl
March 5: Mardi Gras Holiday (Law Center closed)
Professor Robert Lancaster's work in earning parole for juvenile "lifer" Herman Tureaud featured in The Advocate.
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Professor Raymond Diamond  is quoted by The Advocate for its article  “Louisiana’s ‘stand your ground’ law used to successfully defend Ascension teen in murder trial.”
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Professor Paul Baier  is quoted by The Daily Advertiser for its article  “Legal experts want review of Supreme Court’s ruling on Louisiana abortion law.”
Professor Ken Levy  is quoted by The Advocate for its article  “Why death penalty prosecution is murky in case of Dakota Theriot, accused of killing 5.”
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Texas native Bethany Bunge is studying in her second year at LSU Law, but she already feels at home in Louisiana.

Bunge earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas, where decided she wanted to pursue a graduate career. She did not know which school to apply to, but she knew that she was looking for a valuable education with an SEC experience. LSU fit the bill. Upon acceptance to LSU Law, Bunge received the Dean Paul M Herbert Scholarship, an award that has allowed her to focus on her studies.

“I would not be studying law at LSU without the scholarship, and I cannot thank LSU enough,” Bunge said.

Find out about the latest news and accomplishments of your classmates.


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