Trial Team Brings Home More Honors
On October 17, 2009, the Villanova Law Trial Team reached the semi-finals in the Lone Star Classic, an invitational mock trial tournament hosted by Saint Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. The Lone Star Classic is a highly competitive tournament, with several of the top trial advocacy programs represented each year. The Villanova team, selected after a school-wide tryout, included third year students Jen D’Iorio, Matt Helman, Liz Levin, and Will Weiss. The team reached the semi-finals by finishing second out of 16 teams after three preliminary rounds. Matt Helman took home individual honors, winning the award for Best Direct Examination. The team was coached by Adjunct Professor Michael J. Lovell, Esquire, an Assistant Defender with the Defender Association of Philadelphia.
With its performance in the Lone Star Classic this year, the Trial Team is continuing to build on its tradition of excellence. Last year, Villanova took first place in the Lone Star Classic in the fall and were Regional Champions in the National Trial Competition in the spring. “Our students excel because they are excellent trial advocates,” explained David S. Santee, Assistant Dean for Trial Advocacy Program and Externships. Santee, who is also the head coach of the Trial Team, explained the reasons for the Team’s success: “Our students do well because they combine sophisticated case analysis, meticulous preparation, and the quick thinking necessary to handle and capitalize on unexpected developments during the trial. Simply put, they do what successful trial lawyers do and they do it very well.”
For more information about the Villanova Trial Team, please click here.
