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

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Defeating 1 86 other universi- ties, the UT School of Law won its first national mock trial championship at a tournament last weekend. The first UT team swept the ballots at the Kansas City regional competition and then advanced to the National Student Trial Advocacy compe- tition in New Orleans, bringing home the trophy. The second team finished fifth. Robert C. May, coach of the team and a professional trial lawyer, said his team had a tremendous amount of experi- ence and they were willing to work hard. This team was just awesome and I ' m so proud of these guys, May said. I cried when they announced we won. It was uncontrollable. May said he felt anxious dur- ing the final round because it was a tough competition that could ' ve gone in any direction. He said the teams ' success was due to the mutually supportive family atmosphere. These students set their lives aside to do this, May said. The championship team con- sisted of law students Jennifer Britton, John Scott Black, Rex Zgarba and Kathy Silver. Britton said an unknown mis- take in the registration proce- dure prevented the team from receiving their preparation packet until February — several months late and just a month before the competition. It was intense practive for about 20 hours a week, Britton said. But we knew if we could get ready in two weeks for rew- gionals, we could get ready for nationals. Britton said the competing teams were given a case topic and had to act out each part of the trial from cross examina- tions to closing statements. She said the mock trials are a tremendous benefit to studnets studying to be a tral lawyer because they become familiar with courtroom settings and more comfortable in front of a jury- May added that the practice students receive from the mock trials is invaluable. The trials can h elp you beyond measure by going through the actual trial phase, May said. Black said the short prepara- tion time helped the team devel- op the focus they needed. Our focus was at a level I ' d never seen, Black said. We saw each round as a battle and, after every round, we felt like we could go on and win the whole thing. He added that the talented team, tremendous amount of work, and one of the finest trial coaches in the country con- tributed to their championship. Black said, because their team won first place in this champi- onship, they have a chance to be invited to another mock trial competition — The Tournament of Champions — where only championship schools compete. Glenn Cormier, chairman of the UT Board of Advocates, who manages logistics for the team, said, though the University is known for acade- mics, the students have proven that the University has a good advocacy program. We go to all the heavy-hit- ting competitions and we do well, Cormier said. This championshiop certainly helps our reputation by bringing us up another notch. by Kimberly Gentile Daily Texan Staff Board of Advocates - 29

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The Board of Advocacy is the litigation honor society of The University of Texas School of Law. The BOA promotes excellence in trial and appellate advocacy, as well as other forms of dispute resolution. The BOA is open to all students at the law school, but participa- tion is a prerequisite for mem- bership. Students earn member- ship points through participa- tion in competitions and through administrative duties. Officers are elected. The Board of Advocacy is responsible for coordinating every interscholastic and intra- mural advocacy competition held at UT. BOA sponsors com- petitions including mock trial, moot court, negotiation, voir dire, and client counseling. These competitions are held in cities across the country. A spring banquet honors out- standing competitors, officers, and attorneys who support the organization. Advocacy awards, such as membership in T he Order of the Barristers, are pre- sented at this banquet. 1999 National Champion Admiralty Moot Court Team William Dominguez, Charles Ragland, Coach Bruce Bennett, Ralph Graham, Robert Galvin. Board of Advocates The University of Texas School of Law claims the priviledge of being the creator of the Order of the Barristers. The Order recog- nizes excellency in appellate advocacy (moot court) and trial advocacy (mock trial). Eventually the Order was expended on a nationwide scale, and today there are over 100 law schools across the country which boast Order of Barristers chapters. The UT law school is now the national administrator for the Order. •k Order of the it Barristers Brad Benoit John Scott Black Jennifer Britton Leah Castella Glenn Cormier Don Cruse Robert Galvin Laurie Higginbotham Jeremy Monthy MacRust -k Niemann Cup k Best Litigator of the Graduating Class John Scott Black Establishe d in 1912, Chancellors is the most prestigious honorary society of the School of Law. The purpose of the society is to honor and reward students who, through outstanding and consistent scholarship and achievement, have shown themselves most likely to succeed and to become a credit to their pro- fession and their alma mater. - Chancellors ■ Grand Chancellor: David Keith Isaak Vice-Chancellor: Gregg Jeffrey Costa Clerks: Bradley Jason Benoit, William R. Merrill Keepers of the Peregrinus: Leslie Irene Cummings, Jeremy J. Gaston Chancellors-at-Large: Brandon Eugene Bennett Misty Petry Burns Timothy Patrick Chastain John Flaxman Greenman Eric Brinn Hall Jeffrey Jackson Hobbs Ann Marie Horat Dean Russell Lanter Michael Maclaren Monroe Allison Leigh Sell Rebecca Sharon Smith UT Law m wins cham n i 28 - Board of Advocates

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The Chicano Hispanic Law Students Association promotes and articulates the needs of Hispanic law students and recruits and retains Hispanics in the UT School of Law. CHLSA provided academic, financial, social, and career sup- port for its members. The acad- emic support included participa- tion in the first year Minority Orientation Program (MOP), exam-taking and outlining ses- sions, and resume and employ- ment preparation. The career area of assistance included minority job fairs, career ser- vices, clerkship, and scholarship programs coordinated in con- junction with the law school and various corporate sponsors. Clinics provided the students with valuable hands-on experi- ence and professional contacts. CHLSA also sponsored sever- al social mixers and receptions, along with its annual Fajita Fiesta and awards banquet, to provide its members with vari- ous networking opportunities. The organization is committed to providing a support network that affords each student the opportunity to have an intellec- tually challenging and success- ful law school experience. By working with University officials and state policy mak- ers, CHLSA continues to pre- serve and promote diversity at The University of Texas School of Law. FRONT ROW: Albert Tovar, David Hinojosa. Margo Garana. Marisela Rangel, Tina Campos. Andrew Walker. SECOND ROW: Bear David Montez. Brie Liberty Franco. Virginia Ramirez. Leslie Carrasco. Amaveli Lerma, David Ebert. BACK ROW: Rico Reyes. Bryan Lopez. Kassandra McLaughlin. Elsa Manzanares, Jesus Payan, Edgar Holguin. Benjamin Lane. V J - Chicano Hispanic Law Student Association iatertainment Sports Law Society . ? ' js ■■:-. P: 30 - Chicano Hispanic Law Student Association