Penn State Law in University Park students win at national mock trial competition

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Law in University Park students recently took on a new challenge: a virtual mock trial.

This year, the Buffalo-Niagara Mock Trial Competition, one of the largest national invitationals in the country with 25 teams competing, moved to a remote format via Zoom in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Penn State Law team, made up of Kathleen Andrade, Kelsi Robinson, Anna Notchick, Cody McGraw, and Bailey Cole, made some adaptations to their usual preparations, including adding Cole as a technician to handle the technical remote aspects of the trial unique to this format, like PowerPoint presentation slides and exhibits.

"Although the team, including myself, had some reservations about the use of Zoom to conduct a trial, it turned out that trying a case virtually allows for a better visual presentation of evidence in some respects,” said Professor Chris French, who serves as Penn State Law’s Mock Trial Advisor. “So, although you lose the drama of a courtroom and the physicality of trying a case in person, current technology does allow skilled advocates to present compelling cases and arguments virtually."

And the team found success in its arguments in the criminal assault case, with Robinson winning ‘Best Opening Statement’ and Andrade taking home ‘Best Cross-Examination,’ a testament to the team’s dedication to preparation.

The team was coached by Penn State Law alumni Will Sandman and Melissa Blanco, both previous mock trial competitors. The Hon. William “Skip” Arbuckle, Penn State Law adjunct professor and U.S. Magistrate Judge, along with his clerks, generously dedicated an entire evening to watching and assessing the team in a dress rehearsal for the competition.