The sixth Annual Syracuse National Trial Competition occurred from October 18-20, 2024.
The quarterfinalists were:
- Belmont University College of Law
- Quinnipiac University School of Law
- Stetson University College of Law
- Western State College of Law
In the final round, Stetson University College of Law prevailed over Western State College of Law.
The individual advocacy awards were:
Best Closing Argument Award: Matthew De Santos, Western State College of Law
Best Direct Examination Award: Madeleine Bodiford, Stetson University College of Law
Best Cross Examination Award: Cristine Khachatoorians from Loyola University Law School, Los Angeles
Best Open Statement Award: Tie between Isabella Diaco from Stetson University College of Law and Alleanne Anderson from Chicago-Kent College of Law
Overall Best Advocate for the Preliminary Rounds: Chase Gleason, Western State College of Law
Best Overall Advocate for the Final Round: Tie between Laith Hatoum from Stetson University College of Law and Matthew DeSantos from Western State College of Law
Joanne Van Dyke (SNTC Director) drafted the fact pattern, entitled Bobby Blair v. Go West Movies, Inc. The Plaintiff was hired by the Defendant to act in a Western they were producing. Toward the end of production, the Plaintiff was seriously injured as a result of a shooting incident. The fact pattern was balanced in terms of results as there was a 50-50 split between Plaintiff and Defense wins throughout the whole competition.
Andrew Umanzor and Carly Zakaria (SNTC Coordinators) dedicated countless hours and worked nonstop throughout the competition, and more than forty members of the Syracuse Law Advocacy Honor Society volunteered as bailiffs. Your help was greatly appreciated.
We’d like to thank the Honorable Miroslav Lovric (United States District Judge Northern District of New York), who presided over the final trial, as well as all of the judges and attorneys who judged/evaluated. Many of the judges and attorneys evaluated multiple rounds, and some traveled two to three hours to Syracuse for the competition.
We’d also like to thank Judge Deborah Karalunas, Don Doerr, Esq., Mary Monashefsky, Chief Steven Bigzia, the court officers and the courthouse staff, who made hosting the tournament such a success.