Mock Trial

Last Elite Invitational of the Fall

November 17, 2008

The Paladins competed this weekend at the 16-team Derby Challenge, hosted by Bellarmine University, Louisville, Kentucky. This was the last elite invitational of the fall season, and Furman was once again blessed that its stature in the mock trial community earned us an invitation to such an exclusive affair. Only 16 teams from around the nation were invited. The field consisted largely of teams from the national championship programs over the mock trial association's 20+-year history.

Furman finished with a 4-3-1 record, winning and losing to Miami University A, losing both ballots to Virginia A, winning and tying to Bellarmine B, and winning both ballots against Miami University B. Miami was the national champion in 2001; Virginia won the championship in 2006 and 2007; Bellarmine won in 1999. Tough, tough competition.

Meredith Dempsey '10, Lexington, South Carolina, was the top attorney on six of the eight ballots, and the team is especially proud of her efforts.

Ms. Dempsey, along with Brittany Miller '09, Kingsport, TN, lead a team of dedicated and talented young people, including:

Jan-Paul Lukas '10, Berlin, MD
Katherine Myers '10, Columbia, SC
Allison Heldreth '10, Summerville, SC
Will Gyauch '10, Lexington, SC
Emily Westberry '11, Watkinsville, GA
Ameer Armaly '11, Greenville, SC

Ms. Dempsey's father as well as her aunt and uncle traveled to Louisville to see the team in action. We love our supporters.

The team is coached by D. Brad Rustin '03, Steven Buckingham '03, J. Buckley Warden '05, Shunta Harmon Grant '05, T. Chase Samples '05, Ben Adams '08, Ashleigh Ward '03, and Joy Strickler. Today is a significant day for five of our coaches: Buckley, Shunta, Chase, Joy, and Ashleigh will be sworn in as members of the South Carolina Bar, having passed the Bar exam a few weeks ago. Congratulations to all of them. The South Carolina Bar is better for having them among its members.

Thanks to all of our supporters. In these difficult economic times, we are fortunate that we have been able to maintain our traveling schedule. We are indeed blessed.

The fall season ends next weekend with the Tobacco Road Invitational in Durham, North Carolina. Look for the Monday morning update on the 24th.

Mock Trial Schedule for 2007-08

Team 584 (2006-07)

Students interested in polishing their critical and analytical faculties, improving their public speaking skills, and advancing their understanding of trial advocacy techniques are well served by the mock trial program. The activity centers on the simulation of a criminal or civil trial in which students portray witness or attorney roles. Participants prepare a prosecution/plaintiff as well as a defense case. A team consists of six to nine students, and Furman generally supports four or five teams. The Paladins compete in five to six tournaments, including the South Atlantic Tournament, which we host.

Since joining the American Mock Trial Association in 1995, Furman has established a tradition of excellence that knows few peers. Among the 283 schools that fielded 565 mock trial teams during the 2006-07 season, the Paladins were ranked 6th and 25th, the highest ranked program in the nation. Furman regularly competes against teams from the nation's best universities, including those in the Ivy League, Chicago, and Washington University, prestigious liberal arts colleges such as Rhodes, Macalester, and Davidson, and public Ivys (e.g, Miami of Ohio, Cal-Berkeley, UCLA). Furman has fielded a team at each national championship tournament since 1997, and it has placed at least one team among the top ten in its division each year since 1998.

Professor Teresa Cosby, Professor Ted Ritter, Professor Jenny Lambert '01, Leigh Booth Paoletti '96, Allie Bullard '04, D. Brad Rustin '03, David Koysza '01, Andy Moorman '98, F. Scott Pfeiffer '88, Regina Hinson '06, and Ruth McAllister coach the teams. The program is coordinated by Professor Glen Halva-Neubauer.

2007-08 Team Sponsors
South Carolina Bar Foundation       Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. Kilpatrick Stockton LLP   Legal Eagle   Brian Murphy Law Firm PC Culbertson + Alexander, LLC The Dick James Law Firm Jackson Lewis LLP Kathryn Williams, P.A. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC Wyche Burgess Freeman & Parham, P.A.   Attorney Offices of Thomas Gagné, LLC Gallivan White & Boyd Greenville Hospital System McNair Law Firm P.A. Ogletree Deakins Richey & Richey, PA