This year, more than 200 AAJ mock trial teams from law schools nationwide competed in fourteen regional competitions, with the winner of each region advancing to the national finals.
Two student teams from Drake Law School competed in the Boston Regional the weekend of March 3rd. The competition paired Drake Law teams against 14 other Law Schools from Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire.
Drake Law placed 1st and 2nd at the regional competition. The 1st place team, comprised of Ashley Heissel, Erik Howe, Sydney Kronkow, Laura Mommsen, and Jasmina Sarajlija, advanced to the national competition in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they tied for 7th place. The 2nd place team members included Samuel Berbano, Jim Hathaway, Matthew Jarvey, Amanda Johnson, and Christina Thompson.
“Since getting our case in December, our teams have committed countless hours to preparation. I think our success at the competitions is simply a reflection of the hard work we put in all season long. I am extremely proud that all of our efforts paid off and that we were able to represent Drake Law School at the national competition this year” stated Jasmina Sarajlija.
The mock trial teams were coached by Drake Law alumni Matthew Eslick, LW’05, who placed 2nd in the national competition while competing as a Drake Law Student, and Kurt Van Thomme, LW’05.
Sarajlija continued, “I am especially grateful to our coaches for the time they dedicated to the team. When I look through my first drafts, I know I would not have improved my skills as much as I have without the feedback they consistently provided. This experience has given me the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the most talented attorneys and law students I know.”
Over the last ten years, Drake has won the regional title four times and twice reached the final round of the national tournament.