FIU wins Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition
Florida International University Mock Trial Team members with the Bedell Trophy. From the left are Coach Chandler Lefevere of the 17th Circuit State Attorneys Office; Evan Thomas; Natalia Cruz; Christopher C. Chillingworth; Victoria Thacker; Tierra Fulwood; Jonathan Gonzalez; Forrest J. Wilson; Stephanie Pena; Alexander A. Pollock; Coach Justin J. Duran of Meltzer & Bell; and Coach Ari S. Goldberg of Meltzer & Bell. Not pictured is Professor H. Scott Fingerhut, FIU’s head coach.
For three days in January, 16 teams from nine Florida law schools competed in the Trial Lawyers Section’s 38th Annual Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition in Orlando.
Florida International University School of Law took home the first-place trophy with Barry University College of Law finishing second. It was FIU’s second Bedell championship, its first title coming in 2016.
FIU’s winning team was composed of advocate Victoria Thacker, advocate Forrest J. Wilson, witness Christopher C. Chillingworth, and witness Alexander A. Pollock.
In the championship round, FIU’s winning team competed against Barry Law in a rematch of their round one pairing. FIU’s Wilson took home the Best Advocate Award and Barry’s Jonace Telfer was named runner-up for best advocate.
The other schools competing in the event designed to helps students develop the skills needed for trial practice included the University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Stetson University, Nova Southeastern University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and St. Thomas University.
Watch the championship round here.
