Northwest Suburban Bar Association hosts 20th annual Mock Trial Invitational
Timothy Christian High School emerged victorious at the 20th annual Northwest Suburban Bar Association Mock Trial Invitational. The event was held on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows. Twenty area high schools participated in the competition with more than 400 students, coaches, volunteers and parents in attendance.
Scott Roelfs, mock trial team coach at Timothy Christian High School, was very pleased with the outcome for his students.
"This is always a great tournament. We compete in real courtrooms, in front of real judges and attorneys. We appreciate the time and effort to put this together and everyone who donated their time to make it happen. They fed us, too (which is always a plus!)," said Roelfs.
The Hon. William O. Maki, presiding judge of the Third District, welcomed students, coaches, parents, judges and attorneys to the event and thanked the high schools for participating.
"I also want to thank the NWSBA for all of their hard work in making sure this is a successful annual event," said Maki.
He then introduced Ronald F. Wittmeyer, Jr., President of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, who acknowledge all of the dedication these students exhibit when preparing for this competition.
"All of you are trial lawyers for one afternoon, and you get to see firsthand all of the hard preparation and tedious work that attorneys have to do, but then you see how that work makes for positive results in the courtroom."
He concluded by telling everyone to be confident, but most importantly, "Have fun!"
Chicago Christian High School took second place, as well as Outstanding Witness which was awarded to Jimmy Brady.
"Chicago Christian High School was very pleased to take second amid a wide field of many well-respected mock trial programs. Also, Jimmy Brady's excellent double duty as Chris Davies and Dr. Taylor Worsley surely helped him secure the best witness award," said Neil Okuley, Mock Trial Coach at Chicago Christian.
St. Charles North High School finished third in this highly competitive invitational.
The Outstanding Attorney category ended in a tie, and was awarded to both Catherine Buchaniec of Maine West High School and Alexandria Cahill of York High School. This is the first time in the twenty year history of this NWSBA event that an award has ended in a tie.
Rick Rosenberg, Mock Trial Head Coach at Maine West High School extended his gratitude for creating such an excellent learning and teaching program for students.
"In an educational environmental which emphasizes testing and data, it is refreshing to participate in a program where the process itself is the highlight and where judges and lawyers connect to help our students in a real and meaningful approach," said Rosenberg.
The students were judged on a point-scale of (1) noneffective to (5) outstanding on various courtroom roles, ranging from witness performance, direct exam by attorneys, to cross and recross exam by attorneys.
Preparations for this type of tournament begin at the start of the school year, requiring diligence and dedication on the part of the students. These students have invested hundreds of hours preparing for this courtroom drama by absorbing the details of the case, memorizing parts, getting into character and rehearsing. This year's fictional case was Pat Dunn vs. Chris Davies, a case involving a dispute between two hockey players arising out of a hockey game that spiraled out of control, which the teams presented in actual courtrooms.
Many teams move on to the state tournament in Champaign, Illinois in March.
This year, the Mock Trial event was co-chaired by Richard Karwaczka, Kenneth C. Apicella, Frank J. Serio and Colin Gilbert, all members of the NWSBA; while the Hon. Judge Thomas Roti assisted with securing all of the presiding judges.
Apicella thanked the NWSBA, as well as all of the participating judges and volunteer attorneys.
"It is truly amazing to have such talented high schoolers take part in the Mock Trial, and to see how comfortable some of these students are in the courtrooms, as well as how well prepared they are. Many of them could be actual attorneys now!" said Karwaczka of the participating students.
Twelve Cook County circuit court judges volunteered their time and expertise to preside over the students' cases, while more than 40 attorneys from the NWSBA served as competition judges and event volunteers.
The judges this year included Samuel Betar III, Joseph Cataldo, Jill Cerone-Marisie, Steven Goebel, Joel Greenblatt, Bridget Hughes, Thomas Roti, Richard Schwind, Sandra Tristano (ret.), and Steven Wagner.
While every student that participates in mock trials will not go on to become an attorney, this intensive event gives them an opportunity to fine tune such skills as team-building, research and public speaking - all skills that can only benefit them later in life.
The evening concluded with comments from Wittmeyer.
"Every one of these students have a lot to be proud of. We were quite impressed with the work you all put into this completion. You are all winners!"
The invitational was presented by The Northwest Suburban Bar Association. Corporate sponsors for this event were American Landscaping Inc., DeWald Law Group PC, Drost, Gilbert, Andrew & Apicella, LLC. and Fidelity National Title. This event was funded in part with a grant from the Illinois State Bar Association.