Members of the back-to-back champion UHLC mock trial team, along with the presiding judge, are Janan Sharaf 3L, left, Mark Gonzalez 3L, Zakiya Carter 2L, and Sammi Almasri 2L.
Nov. 7, 2016 — The University of Houston Law Center mock trial team successfully defended its championship title this weekend as the winner of the National Trial Advocacy Competition in Lansing, Michigan.
The team, represented by Mark Gonzalez, Janan Sharaf, Sammi Almasri, and Zakiya Carter, defeated George Mason University, Michigan State University, and Cumberland School of Law before defeating St. Mary's in the final round. Gonzalez was awarded Best Closing Argument and Best Advocate in the individual awards.
The competition involved a criminal case in which the defendant was charged with the assault of a police officer following an arrest for DWI. The defense asserted that the officer was guilty of using excessive force, thus defendant's actions were not criminal.
The team was coached by Jackie Houlette, '93 and Julie Gray '04.
