Mock Trial Team
NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences sponsors the NSU Undergraduate Mock Trial Team. Members may be NSU undergraduate students from any major.
The American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) is the governing body for collegiate mock trial competitions. The AMTA creates fictitious court case scenarios for undergraduate mock trial teams across the country to study, prepare, and perform in a simulated courtroom setting. The association hosts annual mock trial tournaments in which these teams compete.
Up to 10 members of the NSU team can participate in the simulation of the courtroom trial, with members serving as lawyers or witnesses in each round of competition. Student participation on the team can enhance critical thinking, effective communication, and professional development. This experience can help prepare students for law school and the professional practice of law.
Participation
Tryouts (beginning of the fall semester)
NSU students of any major may try out for a lawyer role, a witness role, or both. To learn more, contact the team coach, contact information listed below. Before the season begins, we host an informational meeting (early September).
Practices (fall and winter semesters)
Mondays at 6pm. Monday practices are mandatory. Some scrimmages may take place on Saturdays (depending on availability and usually prior to upcoming tournaments).
Team Practices (Dates vary)
Teams are expected to meet with each other on their own time throughout the season.
Contact Information
Team Coach: R. William Barner III, J.D.
Email: rbarner@nova.edu
Past Awards and Recognitions
Team Accomplishments:
Opening Round Championship Series Qualifiers (2019): Allyson Sanchez, Miriam Mahmoud, Katelind Ciavardone, Ashton Bryan, Ava Williams, Melissa Velasco, and Nate Brown
Individual Awards:
Ava Williams – Outstanding Witness Award (Orlando, FL; 2019)
Josie Cucco – Outstanding Witness Award (Minneapolis, MN; 2019)
Zoe Stein – Outstanding Witness Award (Minneapolis, MN; 2019)
Student Testimonials
“Mock Trial emphasizes thinking on your feet and teamwork. We help and support each other, and this team helped me a lot with my fear of public speaking. We’re like one big (dys)functional family.”
-Melissa Velasco / English Major; Legal Studies and History Minor
“Mock Trial has opened my mind to different aspects of academics as well as life. I enjoy being able to be with interesting people and going to interesting places. Although I’m a psychology major, I enjoy learning law and strategizing.”
-Ava Williams / Psychology Major; Forensic Minor
Social Media
Instagram: nsu_mocktrial
Twitter: @nsu_mocktrial