UT Law School won both the team and individual mock trial titles this weekend at the National Tournament of Champions, the premier mock trial tournament in the United States. Team members Jay Ellwanger, Chris Panatier, Zandra Collins, Mike Golden and Karen Jones, all third-year students, combined to take the team title, and Chris Panatier was named Best Advocate in the final round.
The five-member team was formed in September and worked together for only two months before the tournament, which was held in Syracuse, N.Y., on Nov. 8-11. "This is really the crown jewel as far as titles go," said Ellwanger. "If you couple this win along with the opening of the new (John B.) Connally Center for the Administration of Justice, I think we are arguably the best advocacy program in the country."
Selection for the tournament is based on past performance in trial competitions sponsored by the Texas Young Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Trial Lawyers Association. This year, the top 18 teams were invited to take part in the three-day, six-round national event. After the UT team received an invitation to the Tournament of Champions, tryouts were held by Coach Steve Harris and Assistant Coach Angela Hahn, who selected the five members who would represent UT at the event.
Once at the tournament, the team was given a "trial problem"
drafted by a Syracuse University law professor. Students were to make
opening statements, closing arguments and conduct direct cross-examinations
for both sides of the case. Evaluated on the basis of trial skills, forensic
talent and ability to make tactical decisions, the UT team advanced through
four preliminary rounds before moving on to the semi-final and final rounds,
and, ultimately, winning the title of tournament champions.