University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL The University of Texas School of Law hosted this year’s National Mock Trial Regional Competition in Austin on February 10, 11 and 12. Teams from law schools in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas competed in the event; representing the University were John Givens, Al Odom, Kathleen Olden, Walter Taylor, Mikal Watts and Jane Webre. The team began preparing for the competition in early January. Coached byjim Ewbank and Jack Ratliff. their work paid off, as the team of Al Odom, Walter Taylor and Jane Webre won the Regional Competition to advance to the National Mock Trial Finals in Dallas. In addition, Walter Taylor was named Best Advocate of the Competition. Professor Jack Ratliff (left), and regional championship winners Walter Taylor. Jane Webre and AI Odom (center) prepare to celebrate after UTs victory in the National Mock Trial Competition. 14 — National Mock Trial The ITT 1-aw School team approaches victory as Jane Webre responds to an opponent’s objection .

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CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS Law Students continually study the interplay of personal freedom and constitutional rights. In March, as the Supreme Court once again prepared to take up the question of abortion. Sarah Weddington of Hoe v. Wade fame spoke to law students at the University of Texas. In the pivotal Hoe decision, the United States Supreme Court held that no woman could be denied the right to have an abortion. Weddington, a successful attorney in Austin, explained her own position in that pivotal ease, arguing that an unborn fetus has no rights which can outweigh a woman's control over the state of her own body. Students on both sides of the issue were present for the discussion, which was respectful but at time heated. Many felt that Hoe would be overturned shortly. based upon the conservative makeup of the Court after Ronald Reagan's two terms as President. Weddington acknowledged that the Court’s support of abortion has been on the decline and that the upcoming decision remained entirely unpredictable. Time will tell. Sarah Wrddington addresses UT Law School students in March. Constitutional Rights— IS

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ALL-STAR MOCK TRIAL In March the Law School witnessed another form of mock trial. Four high-powered litigators came together to demonstrate the science, and art, of courtroom representation at its best. Dick Miller and Daryl Bristow of Miller, Bristow and Brown, Steve Susman of Susman, Godfrey and McGowan and law school professor Jack Ratliff argued the case of l ne Star Aluminum Fabrication Corp. v. Fidelity Fire Insurance Co. before an audience packed into the school's courtroom. Federal court judge John V. Single-ton presided over the trial, which continued for more than four hours. The case was also presented on video monitors throughout the law school complex and several classes were cancelled so that students could witness the proceedings. Witness Chris Reeder prepares to mark a diagram of the Lone Star fabrication plant. ABOVE LEFT: Opening remarks to the jury. ABOVE: Consternation alter a witness' response. BELOW LEFT: Summation before the jury as the all-star mock trial nears an end. All-Star Mock Trial — 15