World-Class Trial Training
Hastings' Trial Team boosts students' confidence in the courtroom

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It has been only eight years since Hastings' Trial Team's founding, and in that short time the program has skyrocketed into a position as a major player in the national mock trial circuit.  It’s no wonder—the team’s 18 members are trained by world-class faculty and coached by prominent alumni.  With practice three nights a week and routine Saturday sessions, the team members are seasoned before they even step into a tournament courtroom.  

Adjunct Professor Geoff Hansen, who directs the team, says, “We are fortunate to have incredibly intelligent and determined students on the team.  When a team member leaves Hastings, he or she is ready to try a case anywhere.”

Team member Megan Stevens '10 says, “Trial Team gives me invaluable courtroom skills and builds my confidence.  I know I will be ready to step foot in court starting on day one after I graduate.”

Only the best trial teams participate in the national competitions.  Last fall, the team reached the semifinals in the National Criminal Mock Trial Competition and placed second in the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Competition.  This spring, the team is competing in three national tournaments—American Attorneys for Justice in Florida, the National Trial Competition in Texas and the National Ethics Trial Competition in Sacramento.  

Students each year benefit from the Roger '80 and Carol '79 Dreyer Trial Attorney Scholarship and the Sedgwick and Kevin Dunne Trial Advocacy Scholarship.  

Comments
On Friday, 02/26/2010, at 12:00am, Amy Shearer '07 wrote:
Trial team was far and away the most valuable, challenging and fun part of my Hastings education.