By Dillon Sharpe, Emancipate NC Attorney
On October 18, 2025, the North Carolina Central University School of Law Trial Advocacy Board (TAB) hosted its annual Willie Gary 2L/3L Opening and Closing Statement Competition. The event serves as a critical gateway for students seeking selection to NCCU Law’s national trial teams, offering a platform to demonstrate courtroom skills, strategy, and professionalism.
NCCU Law has long been recognized for producing practice-ready trial attorneys, and this year’s competition was no exception. Legal Eagles consistently go on to become judges and respected practitioners, known for their commitment to truth, service, and excellence in advocacy. The competition highlighted the depth of talent among NCCU’s rising legal professionals, with students delivering thoughtful, persuasive arguments before panels of judges who once stood in their very place.
Every competitor brought a distinct voice and skill set to the courtroom, impressing judges with their preparation, decorum, and command of the facts. The passion and dedication on display reflected not only the students’ hard work, but also the strength of the community surrounding them. Faculty and staff, alumni, practicing attorneys, judges, and fellow students all played a role—volunteering as jurors and witnesses and providing mentorship and support that helps shape the next generation of advocates.
Former Emancipate NC intern Brandon Scicluna competed in the Closing Statement portion of the competition, where he demonstrated sharp issue-spotting skills and an ability to identify and challenge key weaknesses in opposing counsel’s arguments. Judges noted the high caliber of advocacy throughout the event, with some leaving inspired—and equipped with new techniques to apply in their own courtrooms.
Events like the Willie Gary Competition underscore the importance of investing in future generations of attorneys. Pouring into students and strengthening their support systems is essential, particularly within the Legal Eagle family, where giving back and lifting one another up are core values.
Emancipate NC Attorneys Dawn Blagrove and Dillon Sharpe are both proud NCCU Law alumni who benefited from the same faculty and staff guiding students today. We extend deep appreciation to Professor Dionne Gonder-Stanley, Senior Clinical Professor and Supervising Attorney of the Criminal Defense Clinic, and Professor Dana Jones, Assistant Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute, for their unwavering dedication to students and to NCCU School of Law.