MOCK TRIAL TEAM

What is Mock Trial?

The Mock Trial Team consists of an elite group of law students trained in the art of trial-level litigation. Each year, team members represent the Florida Coastal School of Law in competitions with students from law schools across the nation. At these competitions, team members present cases before judge and jury. Cases encompass a wide range of topics in both the civil and criminal arena. Case topics have included insurance fraud, homicide, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and wrongful death.

Many students compete for acceptance onto the team, but only the outstanding advocates are selected. New members enter a rigorous training program designed to teach proper courtroom demeanor, hone their presentation abilities, and sharpen their legal reasoning skills. The process includes seminars, practice trials, and an intramural competition.

Competition groups normally include two teams of four. The two teams practice against each other countless times before a competition. In actual competition, each team advocates for both sides of the case, requiring the advocates to be well-versed in the strengths and weaknesses of their own case, as well as those of their opponents. Teams are coached by a select group of local trial attorneys, judges and professors. In addition "guest judges" and "guest jurors" are also invited from the law school and local legal community to offer fresh perspectives during the development of the case.

The Florida Coastal School of Law’s Mock Trial Team is a very competitive endeavor that requires a huge time commitment. Membership on the team requires an invitation on behalf of the existing Board and Advisor, as well as an acceptance on the part of the invitee. An invitation to join the Team is based on an evaluation of the student’s ability and talent by the Board, Advisor, and Coaches.

SITE CREATED AND MAINTAINED BY RAFAEL CASO racaso@fcsl.edu