11/19/03--The final round of Boston College Law School’s 27th annual Mock Trial Competition was held on November 18, 2003. The internal competition featured the Honorable Paul J. Barbadoro, Chief Judge, United States District Court, New Hampshire, presiding. BC Law students Christine Siscaretti and Sharon Lahey, who argued for the plaintiff side, won a close-fought competition against Jeff Gilbreth and Brian Korn, who argued for the defense.

“What a treat to watch such capable advocates,” said Director of Advocacy Programs Alexis Anderson. “Judge Barbadoro noted that the caliber of the participants' advocacy rivaled the quality of lawyering he expects in his courtroom. All four students should feel very proud of how well they have honed their oral advocacy skills!”

The problem used in the intra-school competition alternates each year between a civil and a criminal case. This year it was a civil trial titled In Re Estate of Sorenson, which centered around a fictitious dispute over property. Students compete as two-person teams and represent either the plaintiff or the defendant at trial. Each trial includes an opening statement by each party, the direct and cross-examination of two witnesses for the plaintiff and two witnesses for the defendant, with closing arguments by each party.

As a result of the competition’s success, both regionally and nationally, the Law School has developed an outstanding reputation for preparing students who will be hired for litigation positions in both major law firms and public law practices.