KU Law graduates named Academic All-American Advocates by the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators

LAWRENCE — Two recent University of Kansas School of Law graduates have been named Academic All-American Advocates by the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators, becoming the first KU Law students to receive the national honors.

The NALAE National Selection Committee recognized Logan Brtek as an Academic All-American Trial Advocate and Alex Nelson as an Academic All-American Appellate Advocate. The awards recognize excellence in competition performance, academic achievement, leadership and service.

Logan Brtek named Academic All-American Trial Advocate

Brtek, a 2026 KU Law graduate from Norfolk, Nebraska, is one of 20 law students nationwide selected as an Academic All-American Trial Advocate.

During law school, Brtek competed in five mock trial competitions, including Trials and Tribulations, the National Trial Advocacy Competition and the National Trial Competition. She earned a Best Direct Examination award at the National Trial Advocacy Competition and advanced to the regional quarterfinals of the National Trial Competition.

Brtek has participated in mock trial since her freshman year of high school, making this season her 10th year of competition. She said her passion for advocacy and commitment to public defense inspired her to pursue trial advocacy.

“I realized that my strengths in advocacy and instinct to look for the good in people align directly with public defense work, a field many avoid because it is not lucrative and requires seeing people as more than the accusations against them,” she said. “I feel a deep sense of responsibility and privilege in having the opportunity to pursue trial advocacy through public defense. It has never felt like one option among many, but the only path that made sense for me.”

Brtek was nominated for this award by Adam Sokoloff, professor and director of KU Law’s trial advocacy and mock trial programs.

“The NALAE All-American Trial Advocate award is a tremendous honor, and it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving individual than Logan Brtek,” Sokoloff said. “Logan exemplifies the heart of a true advocate — passionate about the law and deeply committed to her craft. Beyond her academic achievements and mock trial decorations, Logan has given back to the broader trial advocacy community by coaching the KU undergraduate mock trial team and serving as both a leader and ambassador on the law school’s Mock Trial Council.”

This fall, she will bring her advocacy skills to the Colorado Office of the State Public Defender.

Alex Nelson named Academic All-American Appellate Advocate

Nelson, a 2026 KU Law graduate from Stillwater, Minnesota, is one of only six law students nationwide selected as an Academic All-American Appellate Advocate.

At KU Law, Nelson competed twice in the National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court Competition, helping lead his team to a national championship in 2025. He also competed in the Hicks Thomas LLP Moot Court National Championship, where he earned the second-best speaker award.

Nelson was inspired to pursue appellate advocacy because of its fascinating mix of legal arguments, policy arguments, oral advocacy and written advocacy, while preparing students for legal practice.

“This award is an incredible honor, and I feel so fortunate to have received it. To me, this award is recognition for all the people who helped me and my peers grow from 1L aspiring advocates to law school graduates with our legal careers on the horizon,” he said. “I had so many incredible professors, coaches and fellow students who helped me learn and grow as an appellate advocate. This award is much less about a single individual than it is about the KU Law community.”

Nelson was nominated for this award by Pam Keller, clinical professor and director of KU Law’s moot court program.

“This is the first time KU Law has had a moot court All-American. I am so pleased Alex has gotten this recognition,” Keller said. “He’s been a champion and a semifinalist in two national competitions with speaker awards in both. He is a special talent.”

Following graduation, Nelson joined the Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services in Johnson County.