Students from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17Թ’s Trial Advocacy Team were honored with an invitation to compete in the Tournament of Champions Competition hosted by the University of Houston. This year’s Haub Law team, consisting of Josephe Demonte (3L), Chloe Devanny (3L), Liam Rattigan (3L), and Madison Lane (2L), finished in fourth place at the end of the preliminary rounds and was ultimately eliminated by the UCLA team, who made it to the finals. Haub Law’s Tournament of Champions team was coached by the dedicated alumni AJ Muller ’15, Mike Luterzo ’20, and Madison Stewart ‘21.
Competitor Joseph Demonte received an award at the Competition for having the best closing argument in the entire tournament. “The Tournament of Champions is an intense mock trial competition that I was honored to participate in,” said Joe. “I am tremendously proud of the effort our team put forth on behalf of Haub Law and walked away feeling like I was a better advocate for having participated. Additionally, we could not have done as well as we did without the commitment and mentorship of our coaches.”
The annual exclusive competition only extends invitations to the top 16 trial advocacy institutions in the country. At the competition, the nation’s finest law students showcase their multifaceted talents by competing in teams of four with each team trying both sides of a criminal case consisting of two charges—twice as plaintiffs and twice as defendants. This year’s case dealt with charges of kidnapping in the second degree and robbery in the first degree with the key issue being identity. The prosecutions main evidence consisted of the defendants fingerprint found at the crime as well as the victim identifying the defendant out of a photo array. The defenses main evidence was an eyewitness who opined the defendant was not the perpetrator and an expert in witness identification. Participants also receive intensive, one-on-one coaching from top-tier professionals in law school trial advocacy programs.
"The Tournament of Champions mock trial competition is an invite only Competition that is composed of the best of the best,” said Louis V. Fasulo, Director of Moot Court and Advocacy Programs and Professor of Practice in Advocacy. “I am proud of the effort our Haub Law students put forth this year and look forward to competing again in the future.”
Haub Law Professor Imre Szalai speaks with Bloomberg Law about a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could make it easier for some gig workers to pursue wage-and-hour claims in court rather than through arbitration. Professor Szalai notes that the Court’s latest decision reflects a significant shift in how federal arbitration law is being interpreted and expands protections for transportation workers.
Haub Law Professor Bennett Gershman speaks to Spectrum News Hudson Valley and analyzes proposed New York legislation aimed at limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, arguing that the measure could face significant legal hurdles because immigration authority rests primarily with the federal government. Professor Gershman also co-authors an amNewYork op-ed calling for reforms to the federal grand jury process, urging greater transparency, oversight, and procedural safeguards to help safeguard fairness and accountability in the justice system.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17Թ welcomed policymakers, advocates, planners, attorneys, developers, and community leaders to campus last week for the 9th Annual Hudson Valley Affordable Housing Summit, hosted by the Land Use Law Center.