Texas Tech School of Law Team Takes State Championship

The Texas Tech University School of Law Appellate Advocacy Team has won the State Moot Court Competition Championship at the Texas State Bar Convention in Houston, held June 24-26.  In his last competition as coach of the appellate team, retiring legendary coach Don Hunt added to his legacy by coaching the team to the win in what is otherwise known as the Texas Law School Super Bowl.  Hunt taught appellate advocacy at Texas Tech from 1974-2004, after which he limited his involvement to coaching the national appellate advocacy teams. He also was coach of the national trial teams for 30 years. Walter Huffman, dean of the Texas Tech law school, fielded exceptional comments from the competition's judges. "The final round in the competition is traditionally judged by the justices of the Texas Supreme Court," Huffman said.  "They told me afterward that they have never seen a more intense and well-argued final round - supported by outstanding written briefs on both sides.  It goes without saying that our talented team delivered an extraordinary performance under extraordinary pressure, and that demonstrated skill and backbone will certainly stand them in good stead in their legal careers."  The winning team was made up of Graigory Fancher of Idalou, and Erin Welch, of Alvarado, both May 2008 graduates; Matthew Luensmann, a third-year law student from Saint Hedwig; and Charles Pelowski, a second-year law student from Abilene. "The entire Texas Tech law family joins me in extending congratulations to our Moot Court team members for representing themselves and Texas Tech Law so extremely well in this important and prestigious competition," Huffman said, "and especially for presenting Coach Hunt with a storybook ending to his magnificent career."   CONTACT:  Casey Carson, director of alumni relations, Texas Tech University School of Law, (806) 742-3990, ext. 315 or casey.carson@ttu.edu