UGA MOCK TRIAL TEAMS ARE FINALISTS IN REGIONAL ABA COMPETITION

Abstract

Wednesday, February 26, 1997

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

CONTACT: Ken Mauldin, (706) 613-3215

UGA MOCK TRIAL TEAMS ARE FINALISTS IN REGIONAL ABA COMPETITION

ATHENS, Ga. -- Two mock trial teams from the University of Georgia School of Law advanced to the finals of the ABA Regional Mock Trial Tournament, held recently in Atlanta. UGA was the only one of the ten schools competing to have two teams advance to that level.

"To have two teams reach the finals is remarkable," said ABA Mock Trial Coach Ken Mauldin, an adjunct professor of law. "I don't think I could have had a better group of students to work with. Perhaps the highest praise for them came from the other coaches and competitors in the tournament, who commended our teams for the strength of their preparation and their consummate professionalism."

UGA was represented by third-year student Andee Dyer and second-year student Robert Highsmith, and by third-year students Rich Connelly, Tonnye' White, and Jimmy Tabb. Witnesses were portrayed by other law school students: Lisbeth Bosshart, Kimberly Brackett, Jake Maurer, Leslie Pickett, Sean Rogers and Chrisna Walker. To reach the finals, the team of Connelly, White and Tabb won rounds against each of the teams representing Stetson University, the perennial regional champions. The team of Dyer and Highsmith won unanimous decisions in each of the three preliminary and semifinal rounds. in the finals, each team lost split decisions to their competitors, Alabama and Georgia State.

In a mock trial competition, law students act as attorneys and witnesses. This year's hypothetical scenario was a criminal case against a prominent doctor charged with conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by fraudulent prescription.

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