(l-r) Andrew Smiley, Sean Casey, Norren Collins, Barry Rieferson and James Bentley.

Brooklyn Law School’s Trial Advocacy team took first-place honors on home turf in the Regional Competition of the Texas Young Lawyers Association Mock Trial Competition. The competition, which rotates locations each year, was held at Brooklyn Law School from February 7-9.

Third-year law students Sean Casey ‘02, Noreen Collins ‘02, and Barry Rieferson ‘02 bested 18 other teams from nine other New York State law schools. The team was coached by James Bentley ‘02, who also served as the Trial Advocay Coordinator. The Faculty Coach was Andrew Smiley ‘96, of Smiley and Smiley, a trial litigation family practice. He has generously donated his time for the last several years helping prepare the Trial Advocacy teams for competition.

In the final round, held on Saturday, March 9, the winning BLS team debated against the State University of Buffalo School of Law. The victorious team members will now advance to Austin, Texas for the Nationals to be held April 4-6. BLS will be competing against 30 other teams from 15 regions throughout the country.

Another BLS team composed of students, Dan Novak ‘02 (who won a prize for best opening statement), Charissa Ilardi ‘03 (who won a prize for best summation), and Lisa Feliciano ‘04, advanced to the quarter finals.