Mock Trial Teams Ready For Court

An extremely large turnout marked the mock trial teams’ tryouts this year, with every one of the 45 available spots being filled the first day.  The competitive selection process encouraged everyone to do a great job presenting his or her case for the tryout. Congratulations to the following students who will be representing John Marshall Law School in the fall competitions:  

National Trial Advocacy Competition in Lansing, MI (10/8-11)  
Brandon DeBerry
Patrick Keegan
Jeannie LaBarabara
Katherine Siefert
Alternate: Andrea Crivolio
Coaches: Sean O’Brien and Brian Sexton  

Georgetown White Collar Crime Competition (11/13-15)  
Mark Abellera
Vincent Coyle
Tiffany Elking
Mary Scholl
Coaches: Vicki Peters and Bethany Biesenthal  

Buffalo-Niagara Mock Trial Competition (11/13-16)  
Julia Mezher
Chrissy Morrison
Anthony Sam
Steve Tschiggfrie
Coach: Lance Northcutt  

ABA Law Student Division Arbitration Competition (11/14-15)  
Ben Breslau
Casey Martin
Mike Reever
Danielle Rudas
Alternate: Lauren Davalle
Coach: John Spieske  

ABA Labor and Employment Law Competition (11/21-22)  
Jisoo Kim
Jayson Serrano
Jamila Ahmed
Randah Atassi
Alternate: Tom Kelley
Coaches: Deborah Bussert, Kelly Heaney, Joshua Wolkomir .

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ADR Organization Overview

The modern trend toward alternative dispute resolution is important to recognize for both practicing attorneys and law students. It is imperative to supplement a great legal education with the practical skills of negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and client interviewing and counseling. This is exactly what the ADR program of the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution is here to help with.

The most effective and fun way to develop these important skills is trying out to compete in the various ADR competitions JMLS enters. As mentioned in last week’s issue, negotiation try outs are fast approaching on September 16-17 from 1-4pm. Check out Tegrity for videos of past final rounds of the competition found on the webpage. Soon to be added are videos of our most recent ADR workshop where students participated in simulations of the various competitions. If you are interested in participating in these workshops, watch for upcoming workshop announcements - we would love to have you join us.

Also, the ADR program is fortunate to be supplemented by a student organization, the ADR Society, headed this year by its president, Courtney Slovin. This group is specifically geared toward  informing students on the real-world effectiveness of learning these skills now and in how they will be used later in our careers. The group addresses student-voiced concerns on the topic and is guided primarily by topics of interests to its members. Watch for emails on these upcoming meetings. The first meeting is set for September 17 at 5 pm in room 1102.

Please see the website for more information, stop in to the office in room 411, and most importantly, consider trying out for an ADR team this semester! .

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Looking To Extern? Try the SAO

“Don’t be closed minded, Brandon!” These were the words spoken to me by a veteran 3L when I first entered the storied halls of The John Marshall Law School. The 3L will remain nameless but what came out of his mouth next has stuck with me -- “you don’t always have to be in the classroom to earn classroom credits!”

This fall I will be an extern with the United States Attorneys office for the Northern District of Illinois. I will be working right across the street in the same building that houses the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Federal District Court for the Northern Distinct of Illinois, the Everett McKinley Dirksen Federal Courthouse. Yes, the same building that the Honorable Richard A. Posner takes the bench to bestow upon us law students his magniloquent opinions regarding THE LAW. Yes, the same opinions that we read in nearly every textbook during our first year of law school.

Working at the United States Attorneys Office will allow me to kill the metaphorical “two birds with one stone.” I will be able to gain prosecutorial and litigation experience while at the same time earn government agency experience at the highest level our legal system has to offer. I will be working hand in hand with experienced Assistant United States Attorneys. I will write, watch, listen and most importantly, I will learn from the best. Best of all, I will be able to use my 711 license and hopefully utter the words “Brandon DeBerry, on behalf of the United States!”

I will also earn three law school credits while I work by completing coursework in the classroom component, the Prosecution Clinic. So, thank you, 3L who will remain nameless. I never knew that earning credits in law school could be so fun, interesting and rewarding. Are you interested in earning credits outside of the class room? Are you interested in an externship? Visit the externship website or stop by room 411 for details. Wish me luck!

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The Luck of the Irish

In 2009, we wrote a new chapter in the story of the long-standing relationship between The John Marshall Law School and the legal community of Dublin, Ireland. The Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Dublin, Ireland, entered into a unique partnership with John Marshall when Kings Inns’ Dean Tom McDonald and representatives of John Marshall formalized the establishing of an Irish and American comparative trial advocacy program.  John Marshall’s Professors Ronald Smith and Lance Northcutt traveled to Dublin in May to represent JMLS, to attend related social functions, and to navigate the students and faculty through the newly-developed program.

The week in Dublin began with a greeting from Chief Justice of the Irish Supreme Court John Murray, who outlined the basic structure of the trial and appellate courts.  The coursework began with a series of classes stateside where JMLS students learned the basic concepts of the Irish constitution, governmental structure, and relevant history. 

In Dublin, all the students – Irish and American -- engaged in practical skills training and attended lectures. Supreme Court Justice Adrian Hardiman, High Court Justice Peter Kelly, High Court Justice Frank O’Donnell and Senator Ronan Mullen spoke to students and observed mock trial exercises. Leading senior barristers were also on hand throughout the week to serve as guest lecturers and show the group around the courtroom sessions in the impressive building known as The Four Courts.

In the fast-paced and intense environment, all the American students managed to get a full overview of the Irish legal system as well as a fair dose of Irish culture and hospitality.  The course culminated in mock trials in which American and Irish students donned the traditional barrister wigs and gowns.  Using Irish rules of evidence and procedure, the students engaged in their mock trials in the historic courtrooms in Four Courts. The Irish participants noted that this was the first time that mock trials had been conducted for visiting American students.

When they weren’t busy learning comparative advocacy skills, the students had special opportunities to experience the vibrant Dublin culture and to see many historic sites.  Students had a guided tour of the Oireachtas Éireann – the Irish equivalent of our U.S. Congress. Other highlights included visits to Trinity College (and the famous Book of Kells), a wine reception at the original James Joyce “House of the Dead” at 15 Ushers Island. The group also partook in the musical traditions of Dublin by attending a singer-songwriter night as well as a performance of traditional Irish music.  On the first night where the JMLS and King’s Inns students were invited to an informal get together to meet each other in person, the group was treated to a surprise visit by 2008 Academy Award winning songwriter, Glen Hansard.

To build on our success, the Advocacy Center is making a few modifications for 2010. Most notably, the Dublin phase of the program is scheduled for January 4th to 12th. This change from five days to nine days in Dublin, will give John Marshall’s students greater opportunities to enjoy this rich experience at a time when Dublin courts are in full session.

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