Marie Josephitis, Senior Associate Director | Lake Forest College
Marie Josephitis, Senior Associate Director | Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College’s mock trial program continues to grow in strength and success, as two teams competed at the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) regional tournament at the University of Notre Dame in early February.
Facing off against teams from top institutions at Notre Dame’s Law and Business Schools, the Foresters delivered impressive performances, winning several rounds throughout the two-day competition.
This marks a milestone year for the program, which sent two full teams for the first time, demonstrating the increasing momentum and enthusiasm for mock trial at the College. Team captains and attorneys Kate Kiameh ’25, Daniel Leuchtenberger ’26, Thomas Carberry ’26, and Sofia Reese ’27 led the charge, with a talented roster of attorneys and witnesses contributing to the teams’ success:
Attorneys: Rifah Raida ’28, Ebtsam Abdelghani ’26, Mila Uram ’27, Zofia Czarnik ’25, Adriana Voloshchuk ’27, Liam Thumser ’27, Nathaniel Henry ’26, Kyra Koch ’27
Witnesses: Medhaansh Ghosh ’28, Marnie Glass ’26, Nolen Heinrichs ’28, Shellane Shettleworth ’26, Jack Osborn ’25, Sadie Pimlott ’27, Emma Smith ’26, Kaitlyn DeMello ’26
For the first time, students were able to take mock trial for course credit, further integrating legal practice into the academic experience. The competition drew students from a diverse range of disciplines including legal studies... psychology... history... and communication.
“We are seeing incredible growth in our program both in participation and performance,” said Stephanie Caparelli Assistant Professor of Politics Chair of Legal Studies And Pre-Law Advisor “The students brought impressive dedication And skill To this competition And I am excited To see where we go from here ”
With continued growth Lake Forest College’s mock trial program The Foresters proving themselves formidable presence courtroom “We are seeing incredible growth In our program both In participation And performance ”
“I am incredibly proud Of everyone on this team We have less resources And experience than almost every team we competed against but we held our own through hard work preparation This also is largely attributable To our coach Professor Caparelli who makes this whole thing possible ” Leuchtenberger said
As Lake Forest mock trial program expands students will continue develop invaluable skills future legal careers beyond “I take great pride In effort dedication each put ensure teams performed level allow look back pride ” Kiameh said “I am excited follow continued success team years ahead ”
Founded 1985 American Mock Trial Association serves governing body intercollegiate mock trial competition according website Through trial simulations students develop critical thinking legal reasoning public speaking skills AMTA hosts 32 regional tournaments eight opening-round championship tournaments national championship each year involving over 400 colleges universities nationwide
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