by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Inaugural trial competition held at Florida Coastal
With more cases being assigned to mediation and fewer being heard in a courtroom, a local law office decided to create a competition to give law students some valuable courtroom time.
“One of the reasons we held this competition was to provide students with the opportunity to practice in a courtroom setting,” said Robert Spohrer, president and senior partner of Spohrer & Dodd, on why his firm decided to sponsor the “Spohrer & Dodd Trial Advocacy Scholarship Competition.” “With so few cases going to trial, this is a great teaching tool for students.”
Ten Florida Coastal School of Law students from its mock trial team were selected to compete based on the score from an earlier intramural mock trial competition and presentation of a closing argument to Assistant Professor Annette Ritter, director of the trial practice and mock trial programs at FCSL. The 10 who were chosen were required Wednesday to present closing arguments regarding a product liability case involving a Halloween costume catching on fire worn by a five-year-old girl.
Not only did they have to present an argument on a hypothetical case in a courtroom at Florida Coastal School of Law, but they had to do it in front of a jury box filled with members of the local legal and media communities.
“I was a little nervous. We had to be here at five (p.m.) and I was in the last pair to go, so there was a lot of time to think about it,” said Heath Vickers, winner of the competition. “I’ve been taught when the time to perform has arrived the time to prepare has passed, so we just had to get out there and do it.
“On behalf of the entire mock trial team, I would like to thank the firm Spohrer & Dodd for giving us the opportunity to showcase our advocacy skills to the community. Further, I would like to thank the firm for its generous financial reward.”
Members of the legal community who served as judges included U.S. Magistrate Judge James Klindt; Senior Circuit Court Judge Bernard Nachman; former Florida Bar President Hank Coxe, George “Buddy” Schulz, partner with Holland & Knight; State Attorney Angela Corey; attorney and CEO of the Sulzbacher Center Audrey Moran; and Assistant State Attorney Dan Hilbert. Some of the media community included Paul Pinkham of the Florida Times-Union, Jackie Barnerd of First Coast News; Melissa Ross of WJCT; Bruce Hamilton of WJXT and Rich Jones of WOKV.
Some of the areas students were tested on included how well they constructed their argument, how well they utilized the law in their argument, use of exhibits in explaining their case and professionalism. Both the sponsors and judges offered comments at the end of the competition on how well the students fared in presenting their case.
“To me, it’s really remarkable to see such poise and polish in young people,” said Spohrer. “You all spoke without notes. I can’t do that. My notes start with ‘My name is Bob Spohrer.”
Schulz congratulated the competitors on how well they were able to develop arguments on a hypothetical case.
“Let me assure you, it’s easier to try a real case than it is to try a mock trial,” said Schulz, who has been litigating since 1973. “You’ve lived a case by the time you get here. So much of it just comes so naturally and emotionally. You are really invested in it and you believe in your clients. What you all did here tonight is much more difficult than what we do on a daily basis.”
Moran was impressed with the courtroom presence and awareness the students already possessed.
“I was very impressed that many of you had referenced what your opposing counsel had said,” said Moran. “That’s a sign of a very experienced lawyer. Because you are not only thinking to yourself, ‘I’ve got to remember what I have to say because it’s almost my turn.’ But if you are composed enough to listen to what the other side is saying and then reference it during your presentation that’s A-plus. Many of you did that during your presentations and I thought that was remarkable.”
Vickers, for plaintiff, took home a $2,500 scholarship for first place, Tenisia Burke, for defendant, earned second place and a $1,000 scholarship, while Daniel Martinez, for defendant, was third and received a $500 scholarship. All winners received legal books compliments of Lexis Nexis.
“This was a rewarding experience for not only the participants, but the firm as well,” said Roger Dodd. “Half of our partners volunteer to teach. It gets us more involved in the legal community.”
Spohrer & Dodd plan to make the competition an annual event.
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