This past weekend (February 18-20), the Law School hosted the Region 7 National Trial Competition at the Jefferson County Judicial Center.  Fifteen law schools and thirty teams from Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan participated.  Seventy-one law school students competed.  The following four law students represented the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law:  Paul Chumbley, Brandon Edwards, Courtney Phelps, and Aaron Price. 

 

Thirty-seven Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas served as volunteer judges, including Rodney Acker, the chair of the ACTL's National Trial Competition Committee.   The Commonwealth was represented with Fellows from Paducah, Bowling Green, Henderson, Owensboro, Somerset, Lexington, and Louisville. Judges from Kentucky state and federal courts also participated.

 

All four UofL law students competed in three preliminary rounds and presented both the prosecution and defense sides of a criminal case.  Both teams received excellent feedback from the judges.  After Rounds 1 and 2, team members Courtney Phelps and Aaron Price were the number one ranked trial team, having won both preliminary rounds and every judge’s ballot, and having the highest point differential.  During Round 3, Courtney and Aaron were power matched against the second ranked trial team from the University of Akron School of Law.  Courtney and Aaron defeated Akron 3-0 to advance to the semifinals.  Of the eight trial teams that advanced, Courtney and Aaron were again ranked number one based on wins, ballots, and point differential. 

 

In the semifinal round, Courtney and Aaron defeated Chase Law School and earned a spot in the finals.  The competition was exceptionally close in the final round on Sunday afternoon. Courtney and Aaron competed against the University of Kentucky and lost by a narrow margin:  96 to 95; 91 to 90; and 94to 93.  Every judge on the panel commented that as the runner-up team, Courtney and Aaron would have been worthy champions as well.  Congratulations should be extended to Courtney and Aaron for their hard work and extraordinary trial advocacy.

 

Congratulations must also be extended to the 286 volunteers (law students, faculty, staff, court administrators, sheriffs, lawyers, and judges) who made this competition a great success.  Many coaches and judges commented that the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law hosted the best organized regional competition that they can remember.  One of the Fellows wrote:  “From the standpoint of the judges, there was not a single hitch in the proceedings.  Everything happened as it was supposed to, when it wassupposed to.  We didn't want for as much as a bottle of water. . . .  You have set a new standard for efficiency and hospitality.  Congratulations.” 

 

The NTC Committee responsible for planning the competition was composed of the following students and administrators: Kimberly Ballard, Brian Bennett, Roz Cordini, Todd Garland, Phil Lawson, Marilyn Osborn, and Becky Wenning. Brian Bennett had the difficult task of securing volunteers to fill 204 witness positions over the course of the three-day tournament.  Roz Cordini worked to secure donated items for competitors and judges (including engraved Louisville Slugger bats and Maker’s Mark bourbon bottles), and to manage volunteer greeters and floor attendants each day of the competition. Todd Garland was in charge of scoring, and tabulated scores for over 300 judge’s ballots during the course of the weekend.  Phil Lawson served as the judge liaison and assisted the 72 attorneys and judges who volunteered during the competition weekend.  Marilyn Osborn was responsible for securing volunteers for 51 bailiff positions and for overseeing law students on the NTC Committee.  Becky Wenning coordinated all of the catering and logistics at the Judicial Center, planned the competitor’s reception at the Marriott Hotel, and was the primary liaison with the staff at the Judicial Center, including the Chief Court Administrator.  Without their support, this competition would not have been a success.

 

In addition to the Committee’s support, thanks are extended to the following law students who volunteered their time to serve as witnesses and bailiffs, and to work behind the scenes:  Bryan Abell, Jennifer Adams-Emerson, David Ames, Chris Arnold, Waleed Bahouth, Carly Baize, Ben Basil, Jeff Benedict, Matt Birkhoffer, Lani Burt, Daniel Cameron, Michael Cannon, Stephanie Carr, Candise Caylao, Nathan Chittick, Sarah Clay, Megan Cleveland, Jackie Clowers, Sam Constantine, Nicole Crump, Steven Crumbly, Steve Damron, Brittany Deskins, Joe Dunman, Aaron Dyke, Whitney Englert, Jen Ewa, Andrea Fagan, Cynthia Federico, Liam Felsen, Ryan Fenwick, Elisabeth Fitzpatrick, Tyler Fleck, Jacob Ford, Nathan Fort, Brad Hall, Denise Hall, Paige Hamby, Brittany Hampton, Josh Hartsell, Holly Hudelson, Jamie Jackson, Lu Jessee, Brad Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Eric Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Megan Keane, Cassie Kennedy, Clay Kennedy, Teresa Kenyon, Nick Laughlin, Pete Lay, Amelia Leonard, Jennie Lynch, Alice Lyon, Luke Markushewski, Courtney McGrew, Jennifer Monarch, Luschka Montijo, Iara Montoro, Ross Neuhauser, Blake Nolan, Victoria O’Grady, Patrick Owens, Sarah Potter, Kaitlyn Potzick, Amanda Prager, Marlow Riedling, Whitney Roth, Dorrie Rush, Jared Sawyer, Will Seidelman, Jen Siewertsen, Julie Simonson, Leah Smith, Thomas Stevens, Tommy Sturgeon, Terrance Sullivan, Barney Sutley, Andrew Swafford, Willis Taylor, Whitney True, Alex White, Jared Wilkie, Kyle Winham, Amanda Warford, and Kristie Wetterer. 

 

Thanks are also extended to the following law faculty and staff for participating as witnesses:  Tony Arnold, Linda Barris, Jessica Campbell, Debra Reh, Kathy Urbach, and Becky Wimberg.

 

Other local groups that were involved to serve as witnesses include students fromthe Youth Performing Arts School at Manual High School, Pre-Law Students at Bellarmine University, University of Louisville undergraduate students, and Brandeis School of Law admitted students.  

 

Thank you to all who participated, and congratulations to Courtney Phelps, Paul Chumbley, Brandon Edwards and Aaron Price for representing the Law School so well in this competition.  

Beginning February 28, the American Bar Association (ABA) will send a site team to our law school to evaluate our faculty, staff, and students.  The purpose of the evaluation is to make sure that we are complying with the ABA's rules and regulations.  On Monday, February 28 at 5 p.m. and Tuesday, March 1 at 12 p.m. in room 275 the ABA site team will have meetings with our students.  You are encouraged to come to both meetings and discuss any issues that you feel are relevant to your enrollment as a student at the Brandeis School of Law.  Ask questions and feel free to make comments.  Pizza and soft drinks will be provided at both meetings.

After being informed that the Awards Ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 1, the SBA has decided to change the date of the Barristers' Ball to April 8.  Please mark this change in your calendar and stay tuned for more details.

Please come out to the Louisville Bar Association, located at 600 West Main Street, for the Student Bar Foundation Charity Auction.  The event will begin at 5:30 p.m.  Below is a list of items that will be auctioned off.  Remember the silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. and the live auction begins at 6:30 p.m.  

Barbri $1000 Gift Certificate

3 Kaplan Gift Certificates 

One week at Delaware Shore House

One week in Costa Rica

2 Bats Tickets for Thunder Over Louisville 

Night at Tucker Bed and Breakfast

Valentine's Day Sweetheart Package: includes delivery of 4-dozen roses and chocolates, dinner at Blind Pig, and stay at Marriott Downtown. 

4 Tickets to Cards basketball game and entry to President's Pre-party

 Silent auction:

4 tickets to Louisville Bats Opening Day

Dinner cooked by Professor Cross

Westlaw Basket

Lexis Basket

Maker's Mark Basket

1-night stay @ Hyatt

Dinner @ Granville Inn

Lunch @ University Club 

Gift certificate to Sully's 

Brandeis Memorabilia Basket

Gift certificates to Blades Salon and Spa

Gift certificate to Quill's Coffee

Gift Certificate to City Cafe

Gift Certificate to Valu Market

Gift Basket from Rooibee Red Tea

Hillbilly Tea basket

Box of Tittle's Cake Dots 

Accessory Basket from Dean Urbach 

Wine Basket from The Wine Market 

Gift certificate to Elizabeth's Timeless Attire

Handbag from Indulgence Boutique

Gift Certificate to Crave Cafe

Gift certificate to Irish Rover

Turquoise earrings from Mona & Lisa

Gift Basket from Nancy's Bagels

Justice Souter Biography and bobblehead

Graceland/Elvis pop-up book and calendar and Elvis memorabilia  

Cards Basketball tickets 

1L Spa Basket: including hour massage, Lush soaps, candles, and more. 

2L Valentine's Day Basket: not 1, not 2, but 3 bottles of wine start this Valentines Date basket out with 2 wine glasses. Then 3 Heart boxes of chocolates including one Giant Rustles Stovers box. White chocolate candy, raspberry truffle candy, marshmellow heart ka-bob, and more valentines day candy. Pink Body lotion, also handy on valentines day. Strawberry incense. stuffed valentines day dog, a stuffed a monkey, and a large valentines day coffee cup. Two Ballons and more! 

3L Chef's Basket: assortment of cooking utensils and gourmet cookbook 

This Thursday, February 10 beginning at 5:30 p.m. the Student Bar Foundation is having its annual charity auction.  The event will be held at the Louisville Bar Association.  Please try to attend this event.  The donations collected that night are used to fund different scholarships that students, here, at Brandeis benefit from.  The silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. and the live auction begins at 6:30 p.m.  See you there!

On Friday, April 1, the Student Bar Association is hosting our annual Barristers' Ball!  This is an exciting night, filled with special memories and plenty of dancing!  Please save the date and plan on coming.  More details are to come.

On Friday, February 25, starting at 7 p.m. students from the Brandeis School of Law, UofL Dental School, and Medical School will be getting together at Darkstar Tavern, located at 2636 Frankfort Avenue.  Please come out and enjoy yourself.  It is sure to be a good time!

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What? UofL Law vs. UK Law School Basketball Game
Where? at the Student Activity Center
When? Friday, February 11th at 7:00

Come see 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls from the Brandeis School of Law "protect this house" at the first UofL Law vs. UK Law basketball game. Tip off is at 7:00 p.m. Come early to ensure that you have a seat for the game!

Thank you to Ink Productions for partially sponsoring our team!
Check out their website at http://www.inkproductions.com/

For those planning on graduating in May, today, February 3rd, is the last day to apply for your degree.  Go on ULink and follow the easy steps set out for you there.