TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Brooke Leeton on Nov 5, 2025

The TBA Administrative Law Section has announced recent Belmont University College of Law graduate Zach Sterne as the winner of the 2024-2025 TBA Administrative Law Section Writing Competition. The judges found that Sterne’s essay, "Standing Up for Setting Aside: Vacatur’s Valid Role as a Remedy Under Section 706 of the Administrative Procedure Act," was both timely and captured the spirit of the competition. The section’s executive council would like to thank all of the students who submitted papers for their thoughtful and impressive entries.

Sterne graduated magna cum laude from Belmont University College of Law in May 2025, where he served as managing editor of the Belmont Law Review and was recognized as its “Most Valuable Editor.” During law school, Sterne also distinguished himself as chief brief writer and swing advocate for the championship team at the 2025 McGee Civil Rights Moot Court Competition, where he earned both the Best Oral Advocate Award and Top Respondent Brief Award. Sterne is now an associate attorney at Ortale Kelley, where his practice focuses on federal litigation, civil rights, appellate advocacy, complex tort litigation and government liability. His background in complex motion practice, appellate brief writing and legal research allows him to provide high-value analysis and representation to both individual and institutional clients, according to the firm.

A preview of Sterne's winning submission can be found below, including a link to the full text.