California Western 1Ls Shine in Conte Cup Opening Statement Competition
California Western School of Law (CWSL)’s 1L students put their advocacy skills to the test in the spring semester Conte Cup Opening Statement Competition, hosted by the Competitive Advocacy Program (CAP). More than 75 first-year students entered the competition, which began with two rigorous preliminary rounds before narrowing the field to 12 outstanding finalists.
The final round took place in the George Gafford Moot Courtroom, where three San Diego Superior Court Judges— Judge Marcella O. McLaughlin ‘98, Judge Francis Devaney, and Judge Mark Cumba—evaluated the competitors’ performances and gave critical feedback on how each student could improve their advocacy skills. The event was live-streamed on CAP’s Instagram, and students, faculty, and supporters gathered in person to cheer on the finalists.
After an impressive showcase, the judges awarded Distinguished Advocate honors to all 12 finalists. Distinguished Advocate honorees immediately become eligible to apply for one of CAP’s Bootcamps, Trial or Appellate. Trial Bootcamp prepares students for a mock trial team, focusing on all aspects of a jury trial. Appellate Bootcamp prepares students for an appellate team, focusing on brief writing and oral appellate arguments to a panel of judges.
The competition’s top honors went to:
Solomon Malcolm, 1st Place
Nerly Bates-Gray, 2nd Place
Diego Sotelo, 3rd Place
The other nine finalists were: Alexa Acuna, Jourdyn Allison, Tatijana Brienza, Alexis Calkin, Tony Di Donato, Jillian Hayes, Madison Mills, Caleb Morales, and Rodrigo Vela.
The Conte Cup continues to provide the perfect staging ground for California Western’s newest advocates to demonstrate their talent, dedication, and willingness to embrace bold, new challenges.
Congratulations to all of the competitors!
ABOUT CALIFORNIA WESTERN SCHOOL OF LAW
For 100 years, California Western School of Law (CWSL) has trained practice-ready lawyers and thoughtful advocates for justice. As the first and longest-running law school in San Diego, CWSL remains committed to providing students with the fundamental knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to thrive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. CWSL enrolls a student body representative of our diverse society, amplifying access to opportunities for social and economic mobility. Tailored programming allows students to focus on specific areas of interest, and distinguished faculty are dedicated to student growth and scholarship on critical social issues. The law school emphasizes practical, hands-on training through clinics, internships, externships, and pro bono service. CWSL is committed to excellence in education, nurturing compassionate legal professionals who use the law effectively and creatively to solve complex human and societal problems. For more information, visit www.CWSL.edu.