Queen’s Law team wins 2016 OTLA Cup
Mooters Shayla Stein, Law’16, and Jennifer Cao, Law’17, winners of the 2016 OTLA Cup
Shayla Stein, Law’16, and Jennifer Cao, Law’17, turned in a triple-crown performance at the 2016 Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association Moot on March 5–6. Not only did they win the award for Best Overall Team, but they also took top individual honours – Stein as Best Overall Advocate and Cao for Best Cross-Examination. “Mooting made me realize that beyond the law and our textbooks, being a good advocate is also highly about delivery to your audience,” says Stein. “You need to tailor yourself to your audience, be engaging and grab their attention.” The team faced off against five other Ontario law schools, presenting a mock civil trial to a jury composed of leading personal injury lawyers.
The team was guided by expert coaches from Law’10 – Brian Kolenda of Lenczner Slaght and Julie Lefebvre of Bersenas Jacobson – whose advice was critical to their preparation. “Being able to bounce ideas off Brian and Julia was incredibly helpful to us,” Jennifer says, noting the importance of teamwork in becoming a better lawyer. Another important role was played by Meagan Berlin, Law ’16, who gave a strong performance as a witness that was necessary to persuade the jury of their client’s position. “The OTLA Moot,” says Stein, “is an incredible opportunity to get some hard-to-come-by experience and a feel for what it is like to be in a courtroom, in front of a jury, arguing facts and advocating for a client.”
— ALEXANDER STEELE JULY 2016 - 9