Competitors from left, Andrew Labbe, Dylan Shea, Kelsey Veitengruber, Leigh Anne Siddle, Jordan Peterson and Dan Lazaro stand in front of judges from left, Bradford L. Thomas, Stephanie W. Ray, William Terrell Hodges and Thomas B. Smith.

The 28th annual Maguire Appellate Advocacy Competition impressed law students and legal professionals alike on Friday, Feb. 17, in the Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center courtroom.

Among the many in attendance was a distinguished panel of judges, including Senior United States District Judge William Terrell Hodges (LLB 58) from the Middle District of Florida; First District Court of Appeals Judges Stephanie W. Ray and Bradford L. Thomas (JD 82); and United States Magistrate Judge Thomas B. Smith (JD 77) from the Middle District of Florida.

The fictional case brought on appeal, Ryan Reed vs. Oliver Porth and Pluribus Health, challenged a state’s power to limit Medicaid coverage to autistic children.

Dylan Shea (2L), and Andrew Labbe (3L) represented the petitioner, while Daniel Lazaro (3L) and Jordan Peterson (3L) represented the respondent. The competitors were also supported by alternates Leigh Anne Siddle (3L) and Kelsey Veitengruber (2L).

While the petitioner and respondent presented their arguments, the judges interjected with questions; a challenge that showcased the oral advocacy abilities of the competitors.

To conclude the competition, Judge Hodges announced Peterson as best oralist and the respondent as best team.

“The presentations were excellent,” Judge Hodges said before announcing the winners.

The Maguire competition is named after Raymer F. Maguire Jr. (JD 15), managing partner of Maguire, Voorhis & Wells, P.A., and UF Law alumnus. In 1998, Maguire, Voorhis & Wells, P.A. merged with Holland & Knight LLP, who continues the tradition of sponsoring the competition.

Moot Court members clockwise from left, Dylan Shea, Dan Lazaro, Andrew Labbe, Leigh Anne Siddle, Jordan Peterson and Kelsey Veitengruber prepare for the annual Maguire competition Friday.

The University of Florida Levin College of Law on Friday will welcome a distinguished panel of Florida judges to preside over the 28th annual Maguire Appellate Advocacy Competition. The competition begins at 10 a.m. in the Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center courtroom. The event is free and open to the public. It will also be streamed live here.

This year’s panel includes Senior United States District Judge William Terrell Hodges, from the Middle District of Florida; First District Court of Appeal’s Judges Stephane W. Ray and Bradford L. Thomas; and United States Magistrate Judge Thomas B. Smith from the Middle District of Florida.

“We are honored to host such a distinguished panel of judges,” said Leigh Anne Siddle (3L), president of the Florida Moot Court Team. “Their assistance in preparing our competitors will ensure success in the upcoming American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition. We encourage all to attend to witness excellence in oral advocacy.”

The Maguire competition provides the Florida Moot Court Team with valuable practice and the distinguished panel will provide useful critiques regarding their oral arguments before the teams proceed to compete in the premier ABA competition. This year’s competitors are Daniel Lazaro (3L), Jordan Peterson (3L), Dylan Shea (2L) and Andrew Labbe (3L). The competitors are supported by alternates Leigh Anne Siddle (3L) and Kelsey Veitengruber (2L).

One of the foremost national moot court teams, the Florida Moot Court Team competes each year at over a dozen tournaments throughout the country. Founded in 1961, the team’s mission is to promote excellence in appellate advocacy. Most recently, the Florida Moot Court Team accomplished this goal at the Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship in Houston. This competition is an invitation-only event extended to the top-ranked national teams. At this competition, team member Alex Landback won National Best Speaker for the entire competition.

Originally, the Maguire Appellate Advocacy Competition was sponsored by the Orlando law firm of Maguire, Voorhis & Wells, P.A. The competition is named after Raymer F. Maguire, Jr., son of the founder of Maguire, Voorhis & Wells, P.A., managing partner of the firm, and UF Law alumnus. In the summer of 1998, Maguire, Voorhis & Wells, P.A. merged with the law firm of Holland & Knight LLP, who also became a sponsor of the competition.