FIU captures Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition crown
FIU's Chester Bedell Memorial Mock Trial Championship trial team members included Alexa Hernandez, Benjamin Sly, Scott Paula, Sydney Ross, and Luian Pita. "Spectacular accomplishment is never preceded by less than spectacular preparation," Professor H.T. Smith said. "This is a spectacular victory for the students and coaches on our Bedell trial team. Our students and coaches just refused to be outworked – and refused to lose. They represented our school in the highest tradition of professionalism and class and enhanced the reputation of FIU College of Law.”
The FIU College of Law trial team captured the Chester Bedell Memorial Mock Trial Championship, defeating teams from across the state to win the Trial Lawyers Section’s premier mock trial competition.
Participating in the competition were 18 teams from nine Florida law schools.
The championship team was comprised of 3Ls Alexa Hernandez and Benjamin Sly and 2Ls Scott Paula, Sydney Ross and Luian Pita. These five students battled through five trials over three days, defeating Jacksonville, Barry’s #1 team, Barry’s #2 team, Stetson’s #2 team, and Stetson’s #1 team.
"Spectacular accomplishment is never preceded by less than spectacular preparation," Professor H.T. Smith said. "This is a spectacular victory for the students and coaches on our Bedell trial team. Our students and coaches just refused to be outworked – and refused to lose. They represented our school in the highest tradition of professionalism and class and enhanced the reputation of FIU College of Law.”
This year's case file featured a wrongful death claim against a school system where an 8-year old student was struck and killed by the driver of a car after being dropped off at the wrong bus stop. The school system claimed that the driver of the car that struck the student was responsible for causing the accident, and that the student darted out into the roadway.
The team was coached by alumni Justin Duran and Forrest Wilson. FIU previously won the Bedell championship in 2016 and 2022.
