UGA WINS NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Abstract

Tuesday, March 25, 1997

WRITER: Kathy R. Pharr, (706) 542-5172

CONTACT: Ralph Powell, (706) 548-1128

UGA WINS NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

ATHENS, Ga. -- The University of Georgia School of Law won the national championship in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) Mock Trial Competition in Denver, Colorado, March 21-23.

UGA sent two mock trial teams to the ATLA tournament after sweeping the regional competition in Savannah earlier this month. In Denver, both teams reached the top eight (quarterfinals) of the competition in a field of 25 finalists from 12 regions. More than 190 teams originally entered the tournament.

"The ATLA team members and their coach performed in a manner that was a model of professionalism," said mock trial faculty advisor Ron Carlson. "I'm proud of our trial program for bringing home this major championship to the University of Georgia."

UGA's championship team consisted of second-year student Kriste Richardson and third-year student Blaine Norris, with second-year student Andy Childers and first-year student Marcy Hanks serving as witnesses. The Richardson/Norris team posted a perfect 6-0 record in the tournament, with victories over San Diego, Cumberland, and Cal. Western in the preliminary rounds; Montana in the quarterfinals; Tulane in the semifinals; and Stetson in the final round.

UGA's quarterfinalist team was comprised of third-year students Kevin Gonzalez, Christy Calbos and Ledondria Hunter, and second-year student Sean Hynes, who alternated the roles of witness and attorney depending on the side of the case drawn in each match-up.

"I was cautiously confident of our chances at the national level, being that we were one of only three schools to advance two teams from the regionals," said mock trial coach Ralph Powell, an Athens attorney. "Still, winning such a competitive mock trial tournament takes preparation and talent -- and we had both. The students performed the best that they ever had."

ATLA is the largest trial law organization in the country, and the UGA championship team will be recognized during the group's annual meeting in San Diego this July.

Students in a mock trial competition act as both attorneys and witnesses in a hypothetical trial. The ATLA Mock Trial hypothetical dealt with a sexual harassment charge brought by a young woman who had attempted suicide and claimed a technician had raped her in the psychiatric hospital where she had been sent for treatment.

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