Page 6 - Briefcase - University of Houston Law Center

BRIEFLY

NOTED UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER STUDENTS

WIN FIRST-EVER TEX-ABOTA MOCK TRIAL
COMPETITION

University of Houston Law Center Mock Trial Team members and coaches

our University of Houston Law Center Mock Trial Team College of Law-Houston in the final round to claim the title of “Best
Fmembers won the first TEX-ABOTA Showdown Trial Advocacy in Texas.”
Competition in November, beating out every other law school in the TEX-ABOTA, which is the Texas Chapter of the American Board
state of Texas. of Trial Advocates, is comprised of lawyers and judges who are
UHLC students Laura Gomez Duarte, Brett Hargis, John Herrman dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury
and Alejandra Rodriguez secured the win for the Law Center. The trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S.
team was coached by Judge Christine Weems of the 281st District Constitution. The organization has 14 chapters across Texas and
Court and Director of the University of Houston Law Center’s several committees.
Mock Trial Program, and Ryan MacLeod of Kherkher Garcia The Law Center Mock Trial Team is part of the Blakely Advocacy
LLP. Additionally, Gomez Duarte was named “Best Advocate” in Institute and competes in a number of prestigious mock trial
the competition. competitions across the nation. As part of the team, members gain a
“What makes what these four students did so impressive is that all four heightened understanding of the rules of procedure and evidence, as
of them did this on the heels of competing in another tournament,” well as develop strong courtroom skills and persuasion techniques.
said Weems. “The problem was released on September 14, six weeks Participating in mock trials is highly beneficial for aspiring attorneys
before this tournament. All four students were preparing for other in any kind of practice since every area of law is predicated on
tournaments, so we didn’t really get to work on the problem until some degree of advocacy. The mock trial gives students the practice
they finished their other competitions. They all agreed to immediately of going toe-to-toe with other advocates and articulating their
transition over to prepare in only half the time the other teams would arguments before a judge.
have had to get ready. Clearly, their hard work and commitment paid “Winning this competition is a tremendous, and significant,
off because they beat the competition and came out on top.” accomplishment for our students, our coaches and our advocacy
During the mock trial, students were evaluated by actual judges who program,” said Jim Lawrence, Executive Director of the Blakely
participated in most rounds. The final round included Texas Supreme Advocacy Institute at the Law Center. “To put it in perspective, Texas
Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht. All 10 Texas law schools competed mock trial competitions are as competitive as Texas high school
in the mock trial competition, and UHLC defeated the South Texas football.” ^

6 Briefcase 2021