Mock Trial Team Places Fourth
In National Competition
C
oncord University’s mock trial team placed fourth in the Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity’s National Pre-Law Conference and Mock Trial Competition in Washington, D.C. Nov. 8-10. This is the eighth Concord team to have been in the final four of the competition in the last eight years. The competition involved 15 teams from across the nation and Concord was the smallest school in the competition. Besides Concord, other schools competing in 2012 included the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida, Florida International University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Western Illinois University, William Woods University, the University of Houston, Texas Tech University and Pasadena City College. Several of the schools brought more than one team. Eight Concord students participated in the Mock Trial Competition. They were divided into two teams. The team of Bradley Click, Joseph Dean II, Danielle Knight and Chelsey Rowe made it into the final round of four teams. They squared up against the team from Texas Tech University in the final round. First and second place went to the two teams from the University of Florida. Concord’s other mock trial
39 • Winter 2013
team consisted of Mark Borromeo, Katie Ratcliffe, Marie Russell and Kathryn Streit. The mock trial case this year concerned whether a valet was in the course and scope of his job when he hit and killed a 17 year old girl while driving a possible business partner of the company back to a hotel. The driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Concord’s mock trial teams are coached by Marshall S. Campbell, who is Concord’s director of human resources and a pre-law instructor at Concord. Campbell said, “I am extremely proud of the members of Concord’s teams. They continued the legacy of bringing a competitive ‘final four’ team to the competition. Since 2005, Concord has been in the final four every year but 2008. In 2007, both of Concord’s teams made in to the final four. The positive result again this year evidences Concord’s strong legal studies and pre-law program.” The competition is part of the Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity’s National Pre-Law Conference, which also includes speakers on law school applications, financial aid, LSAT test preparation and how to be successful law students. “I really enjoy attending the Phi
Alpha Delta pre-law conference and mock trial competition each year,” Concord team member Chelsey Rowe said. “It is a great way to build communication skills as well as to gain practice and experience in the law. I recommend it for any college student who wants to go to law school; not only for the trial experience and practice, but also for the symposiums. The speakers are always one of my favorite parts of the conference.” Campbell thanked several local judges. “Normally, we take the case before the local Mercer County judges at the courthouse. This year, however, our plans were scuttled by the snowstorm related to Hurricane Sandy. So, Circuit Court Judge Omar Aboulhosn (’89) and Family Court Judges Anthony Bisaha and Mary Ellen Griffith came to Concord on Tuesday, Nov. 6th and judged practice rounds. We greatly appreciate their help. Their advice was excellent, as usual,” he said. Besides the mock trial class, Concord offers a variety of prelaw classes that assist students in preparing for law school or other careers.