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Law school’s Trial Team invited to compete at top national level

Liberty University School of Law’s Trial Team (from left) Michael Sharp, Hugh Jackson, Professor Pamela Bell (coach), Tinisha Bowles-Densford, and Melanie Caldwell.

Liberty University School of Law’s Trial Team has been invited to compete in the National Civil Trial Competition (NCTC), one of the country’s premiere invitational trial competitions, at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, Nov. 14-16.

Liberty’s Trial Team was selected from a field of 55 other law schools and will be competing against 15 of the best trial advocacy programs in the nation.

Teams conduct full mock jury trials, which involve opening statements, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, and closing arguments. The students also argue objections and evidentiary issues under the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Pamela Bell, associate professor of law and director of Liberty’s School of Law Center for Trial Advocacy, coaches the Trial Team. Bell said the invitation is a great opportunity to show other schools Liberty’s commitment to its trial program.

“It gives us a chance to showcase our program and the law school,” Bell said. “This team can do what it does because of the great support we receive from the law school and the university. We are very thankful for the support of the administration.”

Bell attributed the team’s national recognition to its reliance on God and its commitment to its mission.

“This team exists to honor and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ. As soon as it ceases to do that, it will cease to exist,” Bell said. “The students on the team are always quick to immediately praise God whether we win or lose.”

Law school Dean Mat Staver said the invitation was a strong testimony to the quality of the school’s trial program and and Bell’s leadership.

“It is an honor to be invited to participate in this national competition. Liberty is well on its way to becoming a national leader in its trial program,” Staver said.

The Trial Team, which has only existed in full form for three years, has previously finished as semifinalists in both the National Trial Competition and the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Student Trial Advocacy Competition, two of the nation’s top trial competitions. The team also competes in several other competitions, including the American Bar Association (ABA) National Arbitration Competition, which it won by unanimous vote in 2013, earning it recognition from the Virginia governor and the Virginia state legislature.

In 2013, the Trial Team competed for the first time in the Carolinas Invitational Mock Trial Tournament and won. Colin Campbell, a team member, also received the Best Advocate Award for his exceptional performance. It was the first best advocate award given to the team.

This year, in addition to NCTC, the team will compete again in the Carolinas Invitational Mock Trial Tournament sponsored by Charlotte Law, the ABA National Arbitration Competition, the National Trial Competition sponsored by the Texas Young Lawyers Association, and the AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Association.

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