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St. Thomas Law Mock Trial Team Wins the Phi Alpha Delta National Mock Trial Competition

By March 13, 2015STU News

We are pleased and proud to announce that the St. Thomas Law PAD Mentschikoff Chapter won Overall First Place and Best Defense at the 2015 National PAD Mock Trial competition, held March 5th through 8th, 2015, in Alexandria, VA.

This annual national mock trial competition was limited to 30 law school chapters. Members of the St. Thomas Law Mock Trial team who were also members of the St. Thomas Law PAD Chapter, were recruited to compete in the competition. Our STU PAD Mentschikoff Chapter was the 29th team to register, and registered only one team. At the mock trial competition, each team presented the case as both plaintiff and defendant. Following three rounds of competition, the St. Thomas Law PAD team consisting of Freddy Figueroa, Ileana Garcia, Natasha Pargas, and Tayron Lopez advanced to the final round, and then ultimately won the competition against a strong team from Tennessee University (the 2014 Champions). In addition to winning overall, Freddy Figueroa and Ileana Garcia were selected as the Best Defense team.

The team members were required to prepare and deliver opening statements and closing arguments; develop and conduct direct and cross examinations; convincingly play witness roles for their teammates; and analyze and argue complex evidentiary issues and objections. Our STU PAD teams put in hours of practice, and were coached by South Florida attorneys Jarred

Whaley, Debra Kay Cohen, and Lance August Harke. The team’s success was also due to the leadership and guidance of the STU Mock Trial Team Advisor, adjunct Professor Michael Mayer.

STU Chapter PAD President, Regilucia (“Reggie”) Smith worked to make the competition a reality and to ensure that St. Thomas Law, at its first appearance at the PAD Mock Trial Competition left a memorable impression. We congratulate all of those involved in the competition from the St. Thomas PAD Mentschikoff Chapter for living up to those goals and aspirations

Marlen Lebish

Author Marlen Lebish

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