National Trial Team Completes Historic Competition Season

During the 2022-23 academic year, members of the National Trial Team found success in various regional and national competitions, facing some of the best law school advocates in simulated jury trials. This year marked the first time in program history that Villanova Law teams received recognition in every competition.

Villanova Law competed at the All-Star Bracket Tournament Challenge at Stetson University from October 8-9. The team gained a bid to the final round after defeating Brigham Young University, Cumberland University and Texas A&M in the virtual regional round. The team of Dan Goldfield ’23, Griffith Hawk ’23, Elizabeth Land ’24 and Margot Weitz ’23 finished as semi-finalists in the overall competition. Villanova Law alum Leah George ’21 and Zach Wynkoop, deputy attorney general in the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, coached the team.

At the Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition from October 14-16, Victoria Bouve ’24, Jake Dianno ’24, Tyler Kaestner ’23 and Jack McGuire ’23 represented Villanova Law in the quarterfinals. In addition to the team going undefeated in the preliminary rounds, Dianno earned “best opening statement” out of 112 competitors. John Hickey BBA ’12, JD ’15 and Chris Lynette, senior associate at Armstrong Teasdale LLP, served as coaches.

Villanova Law competed at the White Collar Crime Invitational hosted by Georgetown Law from October 28-30, with team members Kim Baxter ’23, Will Mercier ’23, Juliette Mogenson ’23 and Veronica Sansone ’23. Mercier earned “best advocate” in the competition. Greg Kiss, Villanova Law adjunct professor and attorney at Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky, PC, and George Zindel, Villanova Law adjunct professor and US District Courts judicial law clerk, coached the team.

Villanova Law co-hosted the regional round of the National Trial Competition at the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia from February 11-12. Two teams consisting of Dan Goldfield ’23, Griffith Hawk ’23, Elizabeth Land ’23 and Margot Weitz ’23 finished as semi-finalists. Leah George ’21, Steven Patton ’15 and Zach Wynkoop coached the teams.

From March 2-5, Villanova Law competed virtually in the 2023 American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition. Competitors Victoria Bouve ’24, Jake Dianno ’24, Tyler Kaestner ’23 and Jack McGuire ’23 advanced to the semi-final round under coaches John Hickey and Chris Lynette.

Closing out the year, Kim Baxter ’23, Will Mercier ’23, Juliette Mogenson ’23 and Veronica Sansone ’23 competed at the South Texas Mock Trial Challenge in Houston from March 25-26. The team earned “best outstanding brief” of the competition. Greg Kiss and George Zindel served as coaches.