Professor Lou Barracato's Trial Teams Shine During First Semester
Catholic University's mock trial teams made their mark during the fall 2011 competition season, earning the favorable impression of judges and fellow teams during its busy schedule:
William W. Daniel National Invitational Mock Trial Competition, Nov. 19-21,
Atlanta, GA.
Third-year law student 3L Chris Hall was selected as the Best Overall Advocate among seventy-two law students. The competition drew eighteen teams, each with four advocates. Students were required to stage a complete mock trial, including the cross examination of witnesses, and opening statements and closing arguments. Teams were judged on their ability to present their case, and also on their professionalism and civility.
Professor Barracato, the trial team's coach and mentor, was pleased with Hall's exceptional advocacy.
"Earlier this semester [Chris] was recognized for the Best Opening Statement at Michigan State. This was well deserved, and well earned," said Barracato.
In addition to Hall, team members included fellow third year students James Germano, Bridget Kerlick, and Steph Novelli.
National White Collar Crime Mock Trial Invitational, Nov. 19-21,
Georgetown University Law Center
First-year student James Uthmeier was recognized as an Outstanding Advocate at the competition sponsored by the Trial Advocacy Division of Georgetown Law Barristers' Council.
"This is only the second 1L we have ever used, and the first to be selected for an individual award," said Professor Barracato. "This is very rare in these competitions. James is truly talented and I look forward to bigger and better things for us because of him."
The National White Collar Crime Mock Trial Invitational is the nation's only law school-level mock trial tournament focusing solely on white collar crime issues.
Team members also included three second-year students: Sara Greene, Maureen Cummins, and Natalie Ware.
Puerto Rico Trial Advocacy Competition, Oct. 27-29, San Juan
Third-year law student James Germano was recognized with the Best Closing Argument Award at the national trial competition sponsored by the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section.
Ten law schools participated in the face-off, during which teams of four had to serve as either a defense attorney or prosecutor, while the other two students served as their witnesses.
In addition to the host school Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law, the field included teams from the law schools of American University, Creighton, Emory, George Mason, Golden Gate University, Hofstra, Pace Law School, Southern Methodist, Villanova, and William and Mary.
Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition, Oct. 28-30,
Quinnipiac University School of Law
Jessica Missios, a third-year student, was recognized as the Best Opening Statement at the 11th annual competition. Teams from eight law schools to try a criminal case before judges and practitioners. Each team was guaranteed the opportunity to try the case twice, once as the prosecution and once as the defense.
Competitors included law school teams from American University, Barry University, Creighton, Golden Gate University, Pace University, Quinnipiac, Seton Hall, St. John's, and Tulane University.
National Trial Advocacy Competition, Sept. 29-Oct. 2,
Michigan State University School of Law
The Columbus School of Law's trial advocacy team returned from a national competition in Lansing, Mich., "bearing gifts," in the words of Professor Lou Barracato, coach and faculty advisor to the team.
Third-year law student Chris Hall was awarded the Best Opening Statement in the National Trial Advocacy Competition.
Hall's recognition was among just eight official awards handed out among the 26-team field. Catholic University's team also received kudos from fellow competitors in an unofficial category, "Most Professionally Ethical Team."
"This award was voted on by the competitors themselves," said Barracato. "I am very proud of the team, but especially proud that their ethical behavior was recognized."
Now in its 12th year, the National Trial Advocacy Competition provides an opportunity for students to develop their trial advocacy skills before members of the bar and bench.
The competition is designed for teams of four participants, two advocates and two witnesses. Participants have an opportunity to perfect their courtroom advocacy skills before judges and practitioners.
Catholic University Law Students Pitch in for FCBA Charity Auction
A dozen members of the Columbus School of Law’s Communications Law Students Association served as volunteers for the Federal Communications Bar Association’s 22nd Annual Charity Auction, held on Nov. 10, 2011. The event raised money to benefit the Sitar Arts Center, a non-profit organization which sponsors an afterschool program that provides 350 children (ages 6-19) from low-income households with more than 80 classes in music, dance, theater, creative writing, visual arts and digital arts. (Full story)
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Law School Team Participates in Stop Modern Slavery Walk
More than a dozen members of the law school community joined nearly 2,000 people on Oct. 22 to march in the 2011 DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk on the National Mall. The event raises money and consciousness in protest of the estimated 27 million victims of human trafficking around the globe, which has become the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world. (Full story)
CUA Law Students Invited to Attend Screening of Documentary about Freedom Riders
A contingent of students and faculty members from The Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law were among those invited by the White House on Oct. 19 to attend a special screening of “Freedom Riders,” a documentary funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities that chronicles the struggles and courage of those on the forefront of the civil rights struggle in 1961. (Full story)
Service Work of First-year Students Recognized in ABA Journal
1Ls Ben Lerner and Albert Du were mentioned for their first-year Orientation Community Service Day participation on Aug. 15.
(Full story)
