Student Organization Spotlight

Undergraduate Mock Trial Program at UGA
Contact Name:  Brian Mink
Email: ugamocktrial@gmail.com

Who are you?
The University of Georgia Undergraduate Mock Trial Program is an entirely student-run organization which achieves national and local recognition through successful competition. Through competition, we strive to facilitate a legal education for our members while building team camaraderie and lasting friendships.

How long have you been active at UGA?
7 years

How many members do you have?
55

Past Events
UGA Mock Trial competes in invitational, regional, and national tournaments each year. In the past two years alone, UGA Mock Trial's teams have competed in 13 tournaments, earning 4 first place finishes, 15 team trophies, and 31 individual awards. UGA Mock Trial has recently attended tournaments in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, and Minnesota.

Plans for this year?
UGA Mock Trial plans to travel to more tournaments this year than ever before. Each team member will compete at 2 tournaments in the Fall and at 1-4 tournaments in the Spring. By the end of 2009-2010, UGA Mock Trial hopes to have competed nearly 20 times.

This year, for the first time ever, UGA Mock Trial will also host its own tournament on the University of Georgia campus. The tournament will feature some of the finest Mock Trial teams in the Southeast and nation.

What are the benefits of being involved in your student organization?
Mock Trial is a team competition in which students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses. Students use a fictional case, usually about 100 pages in length, that contains witness affidavits, exhibits, relevant case law and statutes.

At competitions, participants compete against other universities and simulate courtroom procedure by conducting opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, and closing arguments.

Students are then scored on a scale of 1 to 10 by actual attorneys, who serve as scoring judges. No verdict is issued based on the facts of the case; rather, the winning team is the team that best argues its side of the case.

Mock Trial greatly enhances debating, public speaking, critical thinking, and acting skills, and gives students an increased understanding of the legal system. Of course, it's also a lot of fun.

Please list (and briefly explain) any awards or recognition your student organization has received:
2 Bids to ORCS Nationals (2008-2009)
1st Place – Commodore Classic, Vanderbilt University (2008-2009)
2nd Place – Commodore Classic, Vanderbilt University (2008-2009)
3rd Place – Southeastern Invitational, University of Central Florida (2008-2009)
3rd Place - Mid-South Invitational, Middle Tennessee State University (2008-2009)
4th Place - Carolina Classic, Elon University (2008-2009)
4th Place - Bulldog/Blazer Regional, Samford University/University of Alabama-Birmingham
8th Place - Southeastern Regional (UNC Chapel Hill)
Honorable Mention - Mid-South Invitational, Middle Tennessee State University (2008-2009)
All-National Attorney (2008-2009)
All-National Witness (2008-2009)
2 All-Region Attorneys (2008-2009)
3 All-Region Witnesses (2008-2009)
2 Bids to the National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament (2007-2008)
1st Place – Willis Whichard Tournament, Campbell University (2007-2008)
1st Place – College of Charleston Invitational, College of Charleston (2007-2008)
1st Place – Carolina Classic, Elon University (2007-2008)
3rd Place - Willis Whichard Tournament, Campbell University (2007-2008)
4th Place - South Atlantic Regional, Furman University (2007-2008)
6th Place – South Atlantic Regional, Furman University (2007-2008)
Honorable Mention - National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament (2007-2008)
All-National Attorney (2007-2008)
All-National Witness (2007-2008)
All-Region Attorney (2007-2008)
4 All-Region Witnesses (2007-2008)

How can students get involved with your student organization?
Students interested in joining Mock Trial next year should attend an information session and sign up for a tryout time in the Fall. The dates for information sessions are:

Tuesday, August 25 at 7 p.m. - Location TBA

Wednesday, August 26 at 7 p.m. - Location TBA

Thursday, August 27 at 7 p.m. - Location TBA

The locations of information sessions will be posted at our website, www.ugamocktrial.org, as they become available.

For more information on the University of Georgia Undergraduate Mock Trial Program, visit our website (www.ugamocktrial.org) or e-mail us at ugamocktrial@gmail.com.

Spotlight Archives

> November 2009 - Designated Dawgs
> April 2009 - Child & Family Development
> March 2009 - UGA Heroes
> February 2009 - AIESEC UGA