UA School of Law Mock Trial Teams Continue Winning Tradition

Akron, Ohio, March 5, 2004 — University of Akron law students continue to be formidable opponents in mock trial competitions with three more recent victories.

UA teams placed first in regional ATLA (Association of Trial Lawyers of America) and Texas Young Lawyers Association mock trial competitions, advancing to nationals. Another UA team finished first in the Gourley Invitational Trial Team.

Mock trial competition provides opportunities for law students to develop and practice their trial advocacy skills before members of the bar and bench. Teams consist of law students taking on the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a criminal or civil legal issue.

ATLA COMPETITION

UA students were undefeated in the ATLA (Association of Trial Lawyers of America) Student Trial Advocacy Regional Competition held Feb. 19-21 in Youngstown. The team will advance to the national competition in West Palm Beach, Fla., March 11-14 and compete against 13 other regional champions.

Team members are (advocates) Stuart Baker and Jessica Morrison and (witnesses) Chris Carino and Michelle Holiday.

A second UA team placed third in the competition after losing by a close decision in the semi-finals. Team members include (advocates) Adam Martin and Adrienne Stemen and (witnesses) Ron Johnson and Natasha Frenchko.

UA trial team veterans Lawrence Sutter III ('89) partner, Sutter, O'Connell, Mannion & Farchione Co., Cleveland; and David Toepfer ('97), assistant prosecuting attorney, Trumbull County, coach the teams.

The ATLA Youngstown Regional Tournament was coordinated by UA School of Law alumnus Kimberlee Kmetz ('94) of the Youngstown firm of Harshman, Bernard & Ramage.

TEXAS YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION TRIAL COMPETITION

Two UA teams swept the 6th Circuit Regional Competition held in Lexington, Ky, on Feb. 19-21. As regional co-champions, both teams will represent the region at the national competition in Austin, Texas, on March 25-27. A total of 24 teams (two from each of the 12 regions) advance to the national level.

Student advocates are Adam Stacy, Kristen Yukish, Patrick Hoban, Melissa Craemer-Smith and Job Esau Perry.

The teams are coached by trial team alumni Sean Leuthold ('95) partner, Leuthold & Leuthold, Bucyrus; and Ben Thalrose ('02) associate, Sutter, O'Connell, Mannion & Farchione Co., Cleveland

GOURLEY INVITATIONAL

The UA Gourley Invitational Trial Team defeated Duquesne University in the final round for the championship. Sponsored by the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, the two-day tournament was held Feb. 19-20 with participating teams from Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Team members include (advocates) John Antel and Elizabeth Matune and (witness) Shawn Burns.

The team was coached by trial team alumnus J. Anthony Rich ('96), assistant prosecuting attorney, Marion County; and Akron Municipal Court Judge Alison McCarty.

Since 1982, UA School of Law mock trial teams have won 38 regional tournaments and have placed second five times in national tournaments. In fall 2003, four UA student advocates won the prestigious, invitation-only Tournament of Champions Trial Competition, sponsored by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.

Return...