Lipscomb mock trial team honored with 'Spirit of AMTA' award at regional tournament
The LJS students showcased their academic skills and values of civility, justice and fair play.
Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491 |
Lipscomb University’s mock trial team, consisting of 10 undergraduate students from the Law, Justice and Society program, competed in the 2024 American Mock Trial Association Regional Tournament held at the University of Notre Dame in February, and brought home the “Spirit of AMTA” award, an honor voted on by fellow participants for the team that best exemplifies the ideals of the competition: civility, justice and fair play.
“Mock trials can get a bit heated and tempers are known to flare since students are essentially arguing with one another for three hours,” says Scott Bledsoe, assistant professor of political science and public policy, and team sponsor. “The fact that our students kept their cool and responded, win or lose, with grace, respect and poise distinguished them from others.”
Competing with students from Notre Dame, Michigan State, Purdue, Case Western, Hillsdale and other universities, Lipscomb’s team distinguished themselves by defeating DePaul University in the final round and demonstrated their critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as their knowledge of legal practices and procedures.
The case LJS students were given involved an art heist of a Berthe Morisot painting from a large charity ball. They served as prosecution for two rounds and defense for two rounds, which required them to prepare for the trial as a lawyer, knowing the ins and outs of the case, and to competently argue each side. The students experienced what trial advocacy looks like, knowing when to object, on what grounds to object, and how to respond to and address objections from the other side in front of a judge.
With a heightened focus on law school preparation, the Institute of Law, Justice & Society is in rhythm to send students to compete against other universities across the country twice a year, at the American Mock Trial Association regional tournament in the spring and the American Moot Court Association tournament in the fall. Both are oral argument based competitions but are different in their preparation requirements. The Mock Trial team presents to a jury, whereas the Moot Court team presents their case to a panel of judges.
Joining Bledsoe to prepare the team for competition was LJS alumnus Tennessee Assistant Attorney General Dale Evans (’14), who advised, equipped and coached the students for the competition.
“Dale had a tremendously positive impact on our students from both an educational and vocational perspective,” says Bledsoe. “One note about mock trials is that just because a student is good at mock trials does not mean they will automatically be a good legal advocate. Dale trained our students to be both.”
Students who logged long hours practicing and studying for the competition, starting in August, were Shythaly Herrera, Nick Ingold, Lydia Knobloch, Janeyah Anderson, Mitchell Roberts, Emma Winters, Hasan Barzinji, Sharon Ajiboye, Kynnedy Gilbert and Lineth Gonzalez.
“They worked diligently and sacrificed a lot over the last few months to compete,” says Bledsoe. “I’m looking forward to seeing them translate these skills into actual legal advocacy!”