Trial Teams Bring Home Medals from Regional National Qualifiers
California Western School of Law wins silver at two most recent competitions

SAN DIEGO, March 17, 2010 - California Western School of Law's trial teams have had a successful showing this semester, bringing home silver medals from three of the season's four competitions.

"I am very proud of our program, our students, and our coaches," says Distinguished Practitioner and Moot Court Honors Board Faculty Advisor Mario G. Conte. "I do not think there is another team in the country that has the quality of competitors and coaches that we have. I'm proud of what we have done with our trial teams."

Left to right: Coach Shannon Kitten ’07, Jason Conge (3L), Billie Gibson (3L) and Coach Jim Mangione at TYLA

The most recent competitions for California Western were regional qualifiers: the American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition (STAC) and the Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition (NTC).

California Western won silver medals in both contests, competing against teams from Loyola University; Pepperdine University; University of California, Los Angeles, and University of San Diego. 

"We've established a national reputation," says Conte. "People know us and we've been able to compete with schools traditionally in the top rankings at these competitions."

Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition
Last month, students Billie Gibson (3L), Jason Conge (3L), Mike Maloney (2L), and Chris Seabock (2L) participated in National Trial Competition at the University of San Diego.

Gibson and Conge went into the finals seeded number two and managed to hang on to that ranking to win the silver medal.

"It was a great experience and a great way to end my law school trial team participation," says Gibson. "It's a challenge but really teaches you to think on your feet and helps prepare me for real life. I'm confident and comfortable in a courtroom because of this program."

Teammates Maloney and Seabock had a strong showing in only their second time in a trial competition. 

American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition

California Western's team of Andrew Kleiner (3L), Elliot Montgomery (2L), Colin Vincent (2L), and A.J. Yarmolinets (2L) won second place in the regional competition.

The team of Sara Simmons (3L), Diana John (2L), Stan Shar (2L), and Adam Boyle (2L) also performed well.