WHEREAS, the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team was named the 2012 - 2013 national champion at the American Bar Association Arbitration Competition held in Chicago, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team, composed of Aaron McCurdy, Kacey Martin, Ethan Hargraves, and Colin Campbell, is coached by Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Trial Advocacy, Pamela Bell; and

WHEREAS, the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team, formed in the fall of 2011, competed for the first time in the American Bar Association Arbitration Competition during the 2012 - 2013 school year; and

WHEREAS, the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team placed second at the regional competition to advance to the national competition held January 25 and 26, 2013; and

WHEREAS, the American Bar Association hosted 10 teams from across the nation for its national Arbitration Competition; and

WHEREAS, the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team defeated Michigan State University College of Law in the opening preliminary round and narrowly lost to South Texas College of Law in a split 2 - 1 decision in the second preliminary round; and

WHEREAS, in the semifinals, the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team beat No. 1-seeded South Texas College of Law with a 3 - 0 decision and advanced to the finals, where it faced Fordham University School of Law; and

WHEREAS, the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team triumphed over Fordham University School of Law with a unanimous decision to claim the national championship; and

WHEREAS, the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team represented the Liberty University School of Law and the Commonwealth with great distinction; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team on winning the 2012 - 2013 American Bar Association Arbitration Competition; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Liberty University School of Law Trial Team as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and admiration for the team's outstanding performance.