Mock Trial Team Finishes Strong in Inaugural Season

Elmira, NY (02/19/2019) — Elmira College's Mock Trial Team ended its inaugural season with trial wins and an individual award for "Outstanding Attorney" in a recent American Mock Trial Association ("AMTA") regional competition in State College, Pennsylvania.

The EC team faced steep competition in its first year, competing against teams from New York University, Columbia University, and Edinboro University. After defeating the Edinboro University team, the EC team ended with a "split ballot" (one judge awarded a win and one judge awarded a loss) against NYU. While ultimately losing both ballots to Columbia University, Elmira College's mock trial team performed well in its first year of competition.

At the regional competition, Elizabeth Foster '21 was recognized as the "Outstanding Attorney," an award presented to one student from the competition, which included long-established programs from Cornell University and Columbia University. Foster attributes her success to the team, hours of preparation, and team coach Dr. Daniel N. Clay.

"We have a young team, which performed liked seasoned champions at the regional AMTA competition," said Dr. Daniel N. Clay, the team's coach and EC assistant professor of criminal justice. "The sky is the limit for them! Contingent upon funding for future years, the team will only continue to grow in their abilities. Next year's competition better be well prepared, because we certainly will be!"

The 2018-2019 roster included:

All students are welcome to participate in Elmira College's Mock Trial Team regardless of year, major, or future plans. Clay will offer a one-credit-hour course, LAW 1050: "Legal Reasoning & Argumentation," in Term I each year to help students learn the ins-and-outs of conducting a trial. Students taking the course are not obligated to join the team nor are team members obligated to take the course, however, it is highly encouraged as students will walk through presenting a full trial step-by-step. The course will alternate between civil trials and criminal trials depending on the "case" produced by AMTA for that competition year.

The 2018-2019 AMTA case synopsis was: On June 29, 2017, Defendant Danny Kosack was scheduled to appear on the highly-rated show Midlands After Dark with Alex Grace (produced by Plaintiff Midlands Television Studios, Inc.) with Elias, Kosack's chimpanzee. But a rehearsal before the show went terribly wrong when Elias attacked the people in the room. Plaintiff's writer Chris Villafana was killed during the attack, and Plaintiff and Defendant have sued each other for negligence.

"The case synopsis does not do the actual case justice. The case was well written and so difficult that even the most seasoned attorneys would find it a challenge," said Clay. "This speaks volumes to the amazing things accomplished by the members of Elmira College's inaugural Mock Trial Team. I could not be more proud of each individual member who made the team so successful. They certainly put Elmira College 'on the map' as a fierce competitor."

Those interested in learning more about Elmira College's Mock Trial Team can contact Dr. Daniel N. Clay at dclay@elmira.edu or at 607-735-1928.

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Elmira College’s Mock Trial Team ended its inaugural season with trial wins and an individual award for “Outstanding Attorney” in a recent American Mock Trial Association (“AMTA”) regional competition in State College, Pennsylvania.