NYU edged Harvard in the nail-biting final round of the American Mock Trial Association's (AMTA) 26th National Championships on April 18 in Memphis, Tenn.
NYU edged out Harvard in the nail-biting final round of the American Mock Trial Association's (AMTA) 26th National Championships on April 18 in Memphis, Tenn.
More than 600 teams registered to compete in AMTA's 2010 program and, through a series of qualifying tournaments, the top 48 teams participated in four trials at the AMTA National Championship Tournament. Other competing schools included Princeton University, Columbia University, Cornell College, and Yale University, among others.
Judges for the final round included the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, the Mayor of Memphis, and other distinguished federal and state court trial judges.
"The NYU students showed poise, confidence, technical knowledge of legal theories, and a flair for the dramatic while portraying witnesses,” said Johnathan Woodward, a member of the AMTA governing board. “Their performance was absolutely worthy of the national championship."
The NYU championship team members were President Amanda Tuminelli, College of Arts and Science; David John Hommel, Gallatin School of Individualized Study; Vice President Cindy Jordano, College of Arts and Science; Co'Relous Bryant, Tisch School of the Arts; Amanda Levendowski, Gallatin School of Individualized Study; and Michael Griffin, Stern School of Business.
AMTA is the governing body for undergraduate mock trial competition. Through engaging in trial simulations in competition with teams from other institutions, students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as knowledge of legal practices and procedures.