Seton Hall University AMTA Mock Trial Team Makes An Impact

This summer, eight members of Seton Hall Mock Trial have continued to demonstrate their excellence within the mock trial community taking part in Envision's Intensive Law and Trial Program at Stanford University, imparting their knowledge and skills to the next generation of legal minds. The Intensive Law and Trial Program, a partnership between Envision and Stanford Law School, offers a unique opportunity for high school students to delve into the world of law under the guidance of Stanford professors. Through mock trials, students are taught the intricacies of legal proceedings and are prepared to engage in simulated trials against other participating groups.

Alumnus, and former Seton Hall Mock Trial members Liam O’Connell (’21) and current Assistant Coach Jaclyn Emm (’21) participated as students during the summer of 2017, while recent graduates Nicholas Webb (’23) and Dominic Pope (’23) returned for their second summer as Mock Trial scholars. This summer the two returning scholars were joined by undergraduates Lily Veits ('24), Meaghan Phillips ('24), Krish Chuadery ('26), Fatima Talpur ('26), Alex Rock ('26), and Christian Lafond ('26), who collaborated to enrich the experience of high school students participating in the program.

The Seton Hall Mock Trial team brought their valuable insights to the program, leveraging their extensive experience in competing at the highest level and recent historical progress to the National Championship Tournament this past year. Drawing from their involvement in the State of Midlands v Dakota Sutcliffe case during the 2021-22 academic year, they led sessions on conducting direct examinations, cross-examinations, presenting statements, and adhering to the critical rules of evidence.

Members of Seton Hall’s Mock Trial program collaborated with members from other AMTA teams at prestigious institutions such as the University of Wisconsin, Pace University, University of Tennessee, Northwestern University, the University of Southern California, and the University of Florida. They exchanged best practices, shared their own mock trial journey, and even participated in staff mock trials where they tested their skills against each other for the first time.

The engagement was not limited to peer-to-peer interactions; the teammates also had the opportunity to interact with esteemed Stanford Law professors, further enhancing their understanding of legal education and practice. The contributions of our students to Envision's Intensive Law and Trial Program exemplify the dedication and expertise that Seton Hall AMTA Mock Trial develops in student members.

As the summer program comes to a close, the Seton Hall AMTA Mock Trial team continues to uphold its tradition of excellence, fostering the growth of aspiring legal minds and leaving an indelible mark on the mock trial community. The team is looking forward to an exciting year of competition ahead and will be inviting new members for consideration in the coming weeks.

If you are interested in learning more about the Seton Hall Mock Trial program you can come watch an open inter-team scrimmage on September 2nd and 3rd in room B2 of Fahy Hall. Additionally, you can come by the Seton Hall Mock Trial table during the University Involvement Fair on September 6th, and most importantly, tryout for the team from September 7th-9th.

For more information, please contact: Setonhallmocktrial@gmail.com

Categories: Law