Birmingham, AL – October 17, 2025
Last night, HGD Law Firm hosted the culminating round of our annual Closing Argument Competition, bringing together eight outstanding finalists to deliver their most persuasive, polished closing statements before a distinguished jury of legal professionals and academics.
The Finalists & The Stakes
The finalists, selected from among competitors representing Cumberland School of Law, Birmingham School of Law (BSL), and Alabama School of Law, were:
- Joshua Williams
- Cooper Gray
- Henry Shiels
- Kennedy Freeman
- Kaylon Ray
- Sloane Saxon
- Grace Grosenbach
- Tykeisa Nesbitt
Over the course of multiple preliminary rounds, these eight rose to the top by demonstrating clarity, legal reasoning, emotional resonance, and mastery of persuasion.
Expert Jurors & Special Guests
Judging the finals was a panel made up of HGD attorneys, who brought deep trial experience and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of litigators. We were honored to welcome three special guests:
- The Honorable Pat Ballard (Circuit Court Judge, Jefferson County) jefferson.alacourt.gov
- Anne Marovich, from Cumberland Law
- Dean Scott Garrett, representing BSL
Their presence underscored how seriously this competition is taken in the legal community—and how much we value bridging academic training with real-world standards of excellence.
Winner Announcements & Awards Reception
After rigorous evaluation of argument style, legal reasoning, factual synthesis, and overall impact, the winners were declared:
- Kennedy Freeman — First Place, $1,000 prize
- Tykeisa Nesbitt — Second Place, $750 prize
- Sloane Saxon — Third Place, $500 prize
A post-competition awards reception followed, giving participants, faculty, jurors, and guests an opportunity to mingle, reflect, and celebrate a night of stellar advocacy.
Why We Do This
At HGD, this competition is not just a showpiece—it reflects a core belief: the art of persuasion is central to effective representation. By hosting a rigorous, public-facing competition, we aim to:
- Bridge academics and practice — giving law students a real courtroom-level platform.
- Elevate the next generation — helping them hone voice, style, presence, and confidence under high stakes.
- Foster connections — bringing together law students, legal faculty, judges, and practitioners to share feedback and encouragement.
- Signal values — reinforcing that integrity, preparation, and clarity are nonnegotiable in practice.
To everyone who competed, judged, attended, or supported—thank you. Congratulations especially to Kennedy, Tykeisa, and Sloane. We look forward to seeing how each of you carries this experience forward in your careers.
