Students Host First-Ever Toledo Law Trial Advocacy Student Competition
by Briana Palmer | May 9, 2023
Last month, Toledo Law hosted the inaugural Trial Advocacy Student Competition (TASC.) Law students from all three classes formed teams and began dissecting a fictional case file in January. Students then faced off in a simulated first-degree murder trial. Each team was guided by their student coaches who all gained valuable litigation experience from participating in the fall Ohio Attorney General (OAG) Mock Trial Competition in Columbus, Ohio.
TASC was coordinated by the outgoing captains of the OAG Mock Trial Team, Natalie Sullivan and Will Robinson, as well as the newly elected captions, Cameron Ervin and Joseph Stefanko. The captains had no shortage of help as various faculty and staff worked hard to bring TASC to life.
First-place went to the team of Sydney Voss, Owen Balas, Collin Mischak, and Julie Lorincz, and was coached by Will Robinson.
The second-place team was comprised of Stacey Alphonse, Brandon Delia, Juliana Fierro, Lynn Hancksak, Breanna Norman, Camryn Patton, and Ryan Scherer, coached by Brianna Barnett.
Third place, coached by Briana Palmer and Elizabeth Quinn, was comprised of both coaches, Joshua Yeager, Jacob Porcarelli, and Lauren Mattson.
Many participants walked away having been named the Best Attorney and the Best Witness of their respective trials.
When asked what inspired TASC, Sullivan said, “During the Fall semester, Will and I worked diligently to create a new approach to the Trial Advocacy program before competing in the Ohio Attorney General's competition. With the help of Cam and Joey, we were able to translate and adjust that groundwork into this new program.”
Toledo Law placed first and third in the Ohio Attorney General Mock Trial competition and many participants walked away with individual awards; all of which were on display for inspiration during the TASC event.
Moving forward, Robinson shared the vision for TASC, “We have emphasized from the beginning of last year’s season that the critical aspects of our Trial Advocacy team include engaging with the performative aspects of the practice of law, developing teamwork, collaboration, and camaraderie. As long as these objectives continue to take center stage at TASC, we know the future of the event will be bright.”
The student coordinators give special thanks to Associate Dean Rebecca Zietlow, Assistant Dean Cindy Kirby, Assiatant Dean Rick Goheen, Derek Dickerson, Amaya Carpenter, and Jodie Birch for all of their hard work. Immense gratitude is also given to the many experienced legal professionals that took the time out of their busy schedules to evaluate the students' performances on various components of the trial, including opening statements, direct examination of witnesses, and closing arguments.