JMLS Team Takes Second Place at AAJ

Trial advocacy. For many people, it is just a required course here at John Marshall and yet another hurdle in public speaking to climb over before they leave for their respective jobs as corporate or tax attorneys. For others, it is an avocation; a chance to further litigation skills; a chance to advocate on behalf of a (fictional) client. That is where the John Marshall trial teams come in. Every semester, John Marshall sends students to mock trial competitions in different parts of the country with the goal of furthering students’ advocacy skills…and winning some pretty nice trophies.

This past weekend, John Marshall entered two teams in the American Association of Justice Mock Trial Competition. It began on Friday evening at 6 p.m. at the Daley Center and lasted until the final round ended Sunday at 6 p.m. where one of our teams took home the award for Regional Runner-Up. But that’s just skipping to the good part.

To quote three people in one (a General, a coach, and another trial team member): “Now, a trial team is exactly that, a team. It lives, eats, sleeps, fights as a team.” That could not be more true. And this past weekend at the AAJ Competition proved that. Just hours before the first round in the competition, an e-mail was sent in order to lift the team members’ spirits. An excerpt from that e-mail reads as follows: “Any of this stuff you’ve heard about John Marshall not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the competition, is a lot of horse dung. Marshall students traditionally love to fight. All real lawyers love the sting of trial. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, the big league ball player, the toughest boxer. Jurors love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Marshall students play to win all the time. I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Marshall students have never lost and will never lose a trial. Because the very thought of losing is hateful to Marshall students.”

John Marshall entered two teams in this competition. The first team was comprised of Brandon DeBerry, Meredith Shane, Matt Sims, and Aleks Spevacek. The second team members were Joel Bruckman, Eva Golabek, Caitlin Groh, and Christina Morrisson . Friday night started off with Team 1 competing against Chicago Kent and Team 2 competing against St. John’s of Minnesota. Then, the competition picked up again early the next morning where both teams were put through two more grueling rounds before rankings were announced. Team 1 was pitted against Northern Illinois University and Michigan State University in Rounds 2 and 3. Team 2 challenged Michigan State University and Loyola University of Chicago. Following those rounds, scores were tallied and the excruciating wait to learn who advanced was on.

Teams and their coaches clustered into Room 2201 of the Daley Center to hear the ultimate verdict – what four teams out of the fourteen competing would move on to the semi-finals the very next morning? After what seemed like hours, ranks were announced. Team 1 was placed third which advanced them to the semi-finals. Team 2 followed close behind but did not advance to the semi-finals.

As I said, a trial team lives, eats, sleeps, and fights as a team. Sure enough, come 9 a.m. the next morning, not only was Team 1 ready to go, but lo and behold Team 2 was in the Daley Center showing their support. Team members Brandon DeBerry and Meredith Shane put on their defense case-in-chief against members from St. Thomas’ team. Once again, at 12:30 that day, all of the four remaining teams were called into Room 2201 of the Daley Center to hear the announcement of which teams were chosen to move on to the finals. The announcement was made and…John Marshall advances to the regional finals of the AAJ Competition! A coin was tossed and it was decided that Team 1’s Matt Sims and Aleks Spevacek would put on their plaintiff’s case-in-chief in the final round against Loyola University’s defense.

After a grueling three hour trial, the results were in. John Marshall placed second in the American Association for Justice Competition and was named “Regional Runner-Up”…but not before zinging Loyola with many objections and one of the best opening statements and closing arguments the halls of the Daley Center will ever hear. After countless hours spent in Baim each weeknight and weekend, it was over. All of those hours paid off. Now, there will be a new plaque in the corridor of the 3rd floor. A plaque that will remain once all of the members of the 2009 AAJ team have long graduated. A plaque that demonstrates our success but will never even begin to show just how much the “evidence ninjas” have benefitted from this opportunity.

Thank you John Marshall and a special thanks to our coaches, Lance Northcutt and Mark Hitt.

...by Meredith Shane

What’s With All the Funny Looking/Cool Posters?

They’re all over the place, in the halls, in the locker room, in the stairwells, and you ask yourself, “who are these people?” and “why are they all over the school? Brilliantly crafted by The Gary Watson, the Center Coordinator for the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, these posters showcase those special students chosen to represent The John Marshall Law School in various Trial Advocacy and Alternative Dispute Resolution competitions around the nation. From the serious and the happy to the “Evidence Ninjas,” the posters wish good luck to and congratulate those students who sacrifice their blood, sweat, and tears (ok, not literally) in hopes of bringing back some “hardware” to John Marshall.

This weekend, Anna Shannon, Rachel Rauen, Donyel Perry, William Kalbac, Michael Lichner, Elaine Vullmahn and coach Ian BBucciarelli will represent The John Marshall Law School competing in the American Bar Association Representation in Mediation Competition in Detroit, Michigan at the law offices Dykema Gossett. So what’s a Representation in Mediation Competition? Teams comprised of two law students, one who plays the role of an attorney in mediation and the other who plays the role of the client are judged on preparation, teamwork, how well they represent the interests of the client using opportunities in the mediation process, and other elements of effective advocacy in mediation. The competition measures how well students model appropriate preparation for and representation of a client in mediation. You might be eligible to try out for this team early in the Fall 2009 semester so be on the look out for calendar updates.

Now that you know that the funny looking/cool posters do actually serve a purpose, send an e-mail or a text or just stop the team members in the hallway or elevator and wish them the best of luck this weekend!

For more information click  ABA Representation in Mediation

...by Brandon DeBerry

What Is This Capitol City Thing?

The underlying theme of the brand new Capitol City Challenge is BRING IT ON….and bring it we will.  This mock trial competition will take place in Washington D.C. on March 27-29. This competition has a new and unique twist to it…..we get to call out the teams we want to compete against. Beginning with the team that draws number 1, teams will challenge other teams to compete against each other in Round 1.  This new form of competition is going to greatly increase the competitiveness amongst teams.

The Capitol City Challange deals with a fact pattern that is complex, yet intriguing. The problem sounds like your average Law and Order SVU episode. It’s about the alleged kidnapping and battery of a young woman who was then falsely imprisoned by her captor. What else was thrown into the mix? That’s right, Stockholm Syndrome. That’s what really makes it a party. Thanks to our awesome coaches, Kelly Heaney and Lou Longhitano, preparation for the competition is in the works. Stay tuned to find out the results………  

For more information click The Capitol City Challenge.

  1L Mock Trial Competition Offers Twist

The Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Honors Board is proud to announce that the Sixth Annual 1L Mock Trial Competition is now underway. This year we have another amazing turn-out with 30 teams competing. This competition’s fact pattern, while a criminal matter, steps outside the traditional textbook crimes. Rather than simple battery or arson, the defendant has been charged with hazing. We look forward to seeing what this year’s 1L class comes up with in their attempts to convict or defend the defendant. Also, in an effort to go green and avoid making countless copies of the problem we have elected to make the problem available online through the Trial Advocacy webpage. Feel free to take a look.