Akron, Ohio, Nov. 19, 2008 - The University of Akron School of Law trial team had another strong performance at the recent Buffalo/Niagara National Criminal Trial Tournament in Buffalo, NY. The team, comprised of student advocates Steve Fannin, Ashley Faris, Theresa Bratton and Nick Dodosh finished in second place. They defeated five opponents in the preliminary, quarterfinal and semifinal rounds before a narrow loss to Duquesne. The team was coached by 2005 Akron Law graduates Stephanie Adams and Rami Awadallah.
The mock trial tournament is the brainchild of the late Robert M. Murphy, one of Buffalo's legendary trial attorneys. The fifth annual tournament began with 120 students taking opposite sides in a criminal trial over the stabbing of an argumentative competitor during the championship round of a high-stakes poker tournament at a Buffalo area casino.
"I am very proud of our advocates' performance," said Joann Sahl, director of the Civil Litigation Clinic. "Their strong finish demonstrates once again why the trial teams at The University of Akron School of Law have a national reputation."
The University of Akron School of Law promotes justice, the protection of individual liberty and the rule of law through commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. The School of Law's competition teams have a long history of excellence on the regional and national levels. To learn more, visit www.uakron.edu/law.
The University of Akron is the public research university for Northern Ohio. It is the only public university in Ohio with a science and engineering program ranked in the top five nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Serving 24,700 students, the university offers approximately 300 associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degree programs and 100 certificate programs at sites in Summit, Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties. For more information, visit www.uakron.edu.