Title

SCHOOL OF LAW'S MOCK TRIAL TEAM ADVANCES TO ATLA NATIONAL COMPETITION

Abstract

Thursday, March 7, 2002

WRITER: Heidi Murphy, 706/542-5172, hmurphy@uga.edu CONTACT: David Shipley, 706/542-7140, shipley@uga.edu Kellie Casey, 706/542-2739, krcasey@uga.edu

SCHOOL OF LAW'S MOCK TRIAL TEAM ADVANCES TO ATLA NATIONAL COMPETITION

ATHENS, Ga. - This past weekend (Feb. 28 - March 3), the University of Georgia School of Law's mock trial team toppled several other regional teams to advance to the national finals to be held in Chicago during late March.

The Association of Trial Lawyers of America Mock Trial Competition, held in Birmingham, was the site Georgia's victory over the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.

School of Law Dean David Shipley said this is the second year in a row that a UGA team has claimed the regional title. "We are thrilled with the results of this year's team and hope we will have similar success at the national competition."

The winning team consisted of three third-year students, Clint Pridgen, Brian Vick and Caroline Rogers, and one second-year student, Tracey Wagner.

The law school had a second team competing at this regional competition. Advocacy Director Kellie Casey said they had a good competition but were defeated by a narrow margin in the third preliminary round by a second University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill team. This second UGA team was also comprised of three third-year students, Ryan Reavis, Sha-Lena Cook and Brian Stimson, and one second-year student, Peter Jones.

Both teams argued the mock case of a wrongful death/negligence action brought by the widow of a fireman against a rock climber who fell on an expert cliff and needed rescue. In addition to being prepared for the competition by Casey, third-year student Todd Hayes acted as coach.

The School of Law has a history of performing well in ATLA mock trial tournaments. The law school claimed the national title in 1997 and were regional champions in 2001, 1998 and 1997.

##

COinS