Law Students Finish Second in Their Debut at National Civil Trial Competition

A team of four law students finished in second place during Duquesne’s first-ever appearance at the National Civil Trial Competition (NCTC) hosted by the Loyola Los Angeles Law School.

A prestigious, invitation-only competition that draws the top 16 trial advocacy programs in the country, the 10^th Annual NCTC was held Nov. 10-12. The teams were required to perform opening statements, direct- and cross-examination of expert and lay witnesses, closing arguments and arguments of objections based on the federal rules of evidence. Each team participated in a minimum of three full trials.

After defeating teams that included the University of Maryland and Chicago Kent University, Duquesne trial team members Clancy Boylan, Sarah Bronder, Clarissa Chenoweth and Brendan McKenna advanced to the championship round where they were defeated by Pepperdine University.

In addition to the group’s respectable finish, team member Chenoweth won the title of Best Advocate for the overall NCTC.

“The work ethic, drive, determination and skill of the student advocates who participated in the National Civil Trial Competition are unparalleled by any students with whom I have worked,” said Assistant Law Professor Amelia Michele Joiner, who coached the team. “As recipients of the law school’s first ever invitation to this prestigious competition, these students displayed the true meaning of the words ‘excellence’ and ‘perseverance.’ Most importantly, they gained the respect of their opponents because they were as tough as they were fair, professional and ethical.”

Four student members of the law school’s new Appellate Moot Court Board earned a spot at the national finals of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) seventh annual Arbitration Competition after their team advanced to the final round at the regional ABA competition at Salmon Chase College of Law.

Frank Stoy, Christina Zanic, Kate Lewis and Stephen Guzzetti will compete at the national championships in Chicago in January. Theirs was one of two teams representing Duquesne at the regional competition.

The team of law students Sara Brown, Kevin Marshall, Michael Megrey and Lauren Oelrich recently finished as quarter-finalists at the 8^th annual Buffalo Niagara Mock Trial Competition. The Duquesne contingent was among 30 teams at the event, which is the largest law school mock trial competition in the United States. As part of the competition, the teams try both sides of a murder case before local judges and attorney evaluators.

The School of Law had teams participate in additional invitational competitions, including the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s Tournament of Champions and a first-time appearance at the San Diego Defense Lawyers Association Mock Trial Competition.

“It has certainly been a great few months for our trial and appellate advocacy programs,” said Law Dean Ken Gormley. “Congratulations to all of our talented and hardworking students for setting new standards of excellence and to the dedicated faculty coaches and advisors—these efforts reflect positively on the School of Law across the entire nation.”