The Washington College of Law Mock Trial Honor Society

The Mock Trial Honor Society is pleased to announce the 2013-2014 new membership:

Please check our events page to see what we have coming up in terms of training, activities, and social events.

WCL Mock Trial Makes Octo-Finals at the Inaugural South Texas Mock Trial Challenge! Congratulations to Kristan Callahan (3L), Brian Critz (3L), Aimee Ghosh (3L), and Samuel Gobrail (3L) who reached the octofinals at the inaugural South Texas College of Law Mock Trial Challenge on March 29-April 1. After three preliminary rounds the team went on to face Fordham University in the octofinals. Aimee Ghosh received an outstanding advocate award! The WCL team was coached by Cristina Hillyer, Attorney at the Bureau of Prisons, and Jeffrey Wennar, Assistant State’s Attorney in the Montgomery County, Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office. WCL Mock Trial Makes Semi-Finals at the American Association of Justice Regional Competition! Congratulations to Aimee Ghosh (3L), Brenda Gonzalez (3L), Yuki Haraguchi (2L), and Zac Ista (3L),who reached the semifinals at the American Association for Justice National Trial Advocacy Competition on March 1-4. The team made the cut from 16 teams to 4, eliminating local teams from Georgetown and Howard to advance to face George Washington University. The team was coached by Elizabeth Lippy Machovina, Assistant Director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program; Tiffany Sizemore, attorney at the Public Defender Service for DC; and Bonnie Hoffman, Deputy Public Defender for Leesburg, Virginia. WCL Mock Trial Finishes Fourth Place at the American Trial Lawyers of Alleghany County Mock Trial Competition! Congratulations to the team of Rob Genevose (3L), Kate Weston (2L), and Shailee Diwanji (2L) who competed in the American Trial Lawyers of Alleghany County Mock Trial Competition in Pittsburgh, PA on February 15-17! The team placed fourth on the plaintiff side.The team was coached by Liz Mullen, Judge, District of Columbia Superior Court, and Michael Satin, Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia. WCL Mock Trial Makes Finals at the National Trial Competition Regional co-hosted by George Washington University and the Washington College of Law! Congratulations to the team of Ryan Norman (3L) & Allison Heldreth (2L) who competed in the National Trial Competition in Washington, D.C. on February 11-12! After competing in two preliminary rounds, the team made the cut from 24 to 8 teams to compete in the semi-finals. After advancing out of the semi-finals, the team then went on to face Georgetown in the final round. The WCL team was coached by Greg Hillyer, Partner at Feldman Gale, and Elizabeth Lippy Machovina, Assistant Director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program. Congratulations! WCL Mock Trial Makes Semi-Finals at GMU Costello Trial Competition Congratulations to the team of Ricardo Piereck (3L), Parisa Abadi (2L) and Cody Harnish (2L) who competed in the GMU Costello Competition on February 1-3 in Washington, D.C. After competing in two preliminary rounds, the team made the cut from 30 to 8 teams to compete in the quarter finals. The WCL team was coached by Emily Livingston ('05) and Joanna Newman. Congratulations! WCL Mock Trial Makes Semi-Finals at Quinnipiac ABA Criminal Justice and Puerto Rico Inter-American University Trial Advocacy Competition! Congratulations to the team of Matthew Rabinowitz (3L), Natalie Pye (3L), Rob Genovese (3L) and Yeve Chitiga (2L) of the Quinnipiac ABA Criminal Justice Competition who advanced to the semi finals during the competition held in New Haven on October 27-29! Yeve Chitiga received the best closing argument after the preliminary rounds. The WCL team was coached by Cristina Hillyer, Attorney at the Bureau of Prisons, and Jeffrey Wennar, Assistant State’s Attorney in the Montgomery County, Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office. Congratulations to Brittany Gail Thomas (3L), Ryan Norman (3L), Ellis Palividas (2L) and Allison Heldreth (2L) of the Puerto Rico Inter-American University Trial Advocacy Competition who advanced to the semi finals held in San Juan, PR on October 27-29! After two preliminary rounds, the pool was reduced from 12 to 4. The WCL team faced Emory Law School in the semifinals. Ellis Palividas received a perfect score on his opening statement, and Brittany Gail Thomas received a best advocate award. The team was coached by Elizabeth Lippy Machovina, Assistant Director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program at WCL, and Greg Hillyer, Partner at Feldman Gale. Congratulations to these teams! WCL Mock Trial Team Makes Semi-Finals at National Civil Rights Competition! Congratulations to Brenda Gonzalez (3L), Aimee Ghosh (3L), Yuki Haraguchi (2L) and Dan Sox (2L)for making WCL Mock Trial a semi-finalist at the National Civil Rights Trial Competition hosted by St. John's University School of Law on Oct. 20-22, 2011. After two preliminary rounds, the pool was reduced from 16 to 8.  The WCL team defeated DePaul College of Law in the quarter-finals and moved on to face Emory Law School in the semifinals.  The team was coached by Elizabeth Boals, Associate Director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program at WCL, Bonnie Hoffman, Deputy Public Defender for Loudon County, and Brittany Keil, Assistant Attorney General in Washington, D.C.

Mock Trial 1L Closing Competition From Left to Right: Ellis Palividas, 2011 Finalist Allison Heldreth, 2011 Winner Ryan Fanning, 2012 Winner Kyle O'Grady, 2012 Finalist

Our Mission

The Mock Trial Honor Society is a student-run organization that strives to empower law students to excel in the courtroom.  Members  participate in national, regional, and intraschool competitions, and, in doing so, transform knowledge from the classroom to practical abilities. The Society works closely with the Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program at WCL to prepare members to become successful advocates.  Members earn 2 credits per academic year, make lasting connections, and are provided various scholarship and professional opportunities in both criminal and civil litigation.  Ultimately, Society members gain knowledge, flexibility, adaptability, experience, and expertise in trial skills, oratorical skills, evidence, and teamwork.

We offer 1L students a chance to gain valuable practice in the spring through our 1L Closing Argument Competition. Then, to formally try out for the team, WCL students must compete in the Spring Qualifying Tournament. Once admitted to the Society, members represent WCL at regional and national mock trial competitions.

Feel free to get in touch for more information or to sign up for our listserve by emailing mocktrialhonorsociety@gmail.com.