UGA School of Law wins two regional advocacy tournaments; finishes in top eight in national tournament

Monday, February 18, 2008 Writer: Cindy Herndon, 706/542-5172, cindyh@uga.edu Contact: Kellie Casey Monk, 706/542-2739, krcasey@uga.edu UGA School of Law wins two regional advocacy tournaments; finishes in top eight in national tournament Athens, Ga. - The University of Georgia School of Law recently captured the top trophy at the regional National Trial Competition held in Atlanta. Third-year law students T. Chase Samples and Rebecca M. Thornhill finished the mock trial tournament in first place, while a second team from the School of Law, composed of third-year law students Jennifer T. Blakely and Lindsay A. Winzeler, finished as semifinalists. School of Law Director of Advocacy Kellie Casey Monk said she is extremely proud of both teams\u27 performance. Both teams were outstanding. They worked hard together to prepare for this competition and, in the final round, the judges unanimously voted for a team from UGA, she said. Samples and Thornhill will advance to the national tier of the tournament to be held in Texas during March. The School of Law also recently took first place honors at the regional round of the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition. Second-year law students Melanie D. Reed and Arlisa A. Woodard comprised the winning team and defeated more than 25 teams to win the regional tournament. The pair will now compete in the national championship to be held in Michigan during March. A second Georgia Law team composed of second-year law students ShaMiracle S. Johnson and Christine A. Saunders received the Best Brief Award at the competition. Both teams were coached by third-year law student Aimee L. Pickett. Additionally, Georgia Law finished as one of the top eight teams at the National Moot Court Competition held in New York recently. The team was composed of third-year law students Alexandra H. Yeager, Naveen Ramachandrappa and James E. Jeb Butler. More than 220 teams from around the country participated in this contest. #