Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law wins Regional Championship in the Thurgood Marshall National Mock Trial Competition
January 28, 2008
On Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, a team of law students from Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, all members of the Ernestine S. Sapp Chapter of the Black Law Students Association, won the Southern Regional Championship in the Thurgood Marshall National Mock Trial Competition in Columbia, South Carolina. Third-year law students Monica Jackson and Courtney Joiner together with second-year law students George Bulls and Mary Alexander-Oliver defeated teams from Wake Forest, Cumberland, the University of Georgia, Louisiana State University and the University of Miami to win the Regional Championship. Nineteen total teams participated in the competition. The team’s coach, Professor Luevonda Ross will travel with the regional champions to the national competition in Detroit, Michigan, in late March to compete.
“We are thrilled, but not surprised,” said Robert McFarland, associate professor of law and director of advocacy programs. “Our students continue to demonstrate in national advocacy competitions what we here already know – they are exceptionally talented advocates.”
Ross, associate professor of law, traveled with the team to Columbia and observed their performance. “I was very pleased and proud of the way the students comported themselves. They were poised and nothing rattled them in the heat of the battle. This is a well-deserved honor.”
“Preparing a championship team takes a village,” according to Alexander-Oliver. “A heart felt thanks to all our professors and especially to Professor Ross, our coach, for their support and dedication.”
The national office of the Black Law Students Association organizes the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition annually. The competition is open to members of BLSA chapters at law schools throughout the United States. Teams compete in six regional competitions and the top two teams from each region advance to the national finals. This year’s competition simulates a criminal trial. The team members are scored on their ability to present opening statements, closing arguments, direct and cross examinations, pre-trial motions and courtroom demeanor and professionalism.