WUCL trial team to finals -News | Willamette University

On March 12-13, 2016, Willamette University College of Law students Katherine Beck (2L), Kevin Hupy (3L), Trevor Potter (2L), and Kayla Warr (JD/MBA 3L) competed at the American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition (AAJ) in a competitive field of contenders from top law schools across the western region. Willamette's team went on to finish in the regional finals.

After the final round, the presiding judge commented, “Obviously, you are here for a reason—because you're the best teams. And you showed that today.”

AAJ gives each of 16 teams an opportunity to compete in three trials. After the three trials, only the top team from each region advances to the national finals. Willamette’s team advanced to the semi-finals, where they defeated the team from Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver and moved on to the finals where they placed second to one of two teams from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley.

Warr has been a stellar representative of Willamette at the AAJ regional competition for three years, which was facilitated by her JD/MBA status, and Hupy prepared for and competed in both the NTC regional competition and the AAJ competitions this year. Potter and Beck stepped in after the school’s local competition had concluded and worked hard to prepare for the regional without the benefit of competing in the school’s AAJ competition.

"Serving as coach to this team was an inspiring experience," said team coach Stephanie Palmblad (JD'12) and attorney at Collier Law in Salem, Ore. "These four students have been incredible to watch. They all have a bright future as advocates both inside and outside of the courtroom."

According to Palmblad, many of the schools competing in the AAJ competition dedicate classroom time or structured trial practice around the AAJ regional problem. Most teams have professors who dedicate time to coaching the programs, and the students prepare for competition by running the trial repeatedly with the two teams they take to the regional competition. These schools have a reputation for training talented courtroom advocates. In comparison, Willamette’s teams in the past decade have been largely student driven, and coached by volunteers from the community. Willamette has rarely had the opportunity to take two teams to the regional competition.

"While the students truly merit the recognition for their outstanding performance, we also recognize that they are helped tremendously by having the coaching, guidance, and support they received from Ms. Palmblad and all the coaches," said Daniel Santos, associate dean for student affairs and administration at Willamette University College of Law.

"These four students are a credit to Willamette’s student-driven moot court program," said Palmblad. "Their dedication of time and effort shone through their performance in Seattle this weekend. I couldn't be more proud of their hard work."

About the American Association for Justice

The American Association for Justice seeks to inspire excellence in trial advocacy through training and education for both law students and practicing attorneys. The association accomplishes this goal in part by sponsoring the National Student Trial Advocacy Competition, an annual nationwide mock trial competition. The competition is an exceptional opportunity for law students to develop and practice their trial advocacy skills before distinguished members of the bar and bench.

About Willamette University College of Law

Opened in 1883, Willamette University College of Law is the first law school in the Pacific Northwest. The college has a long tradition at the forefront of legal education and is committed to the advancement of knowledge through excellent teaching, scholarship, mentoring and experience. Leading faculty, thriving externship and clinical law programs, ample practical skills courses, and a proactive career placement office prepare Willamette law students for today's legal job market. According to statistics compiled by the American Bar Association, Willamette ranks first in the Pacific Northwest for job placement for full-time, long-term, JD-preferred/JD-required jobs for the class of 2014 and first in Oregon for the classes of 2012, 2013 and 2014. Located across the street from the state capitol complex and the Oregon Supreme Court in downtown Salem, the college specializes in law and government, law and business, and dispute resolution.

WUCL trial team advances to finals at regional competition

About the American Association for Justice

About Willamette University College of Law

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