by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Local law school students were given a chance to present arguments before a judge and jury at the second annual Spohrer Dodd Trial Advocacy Competition Wednesday at Florida Coastal School of Law.
Eight members of the Florida Coastal School of Law mock trial team presented closing arguments for the prosecution and defense in a hypothetical case of bank robbery.
The defense swept the awards, with Joe Kennett earning first place, Chris Basler winning second place and Brooke Fuller taking third place.
“Going through the information, I could see the holes in the prosecution’s case,” said Kennett. “The more I read the problem, the more I could see that they didn’t have a leg to stand on.”
The prosecution’s case relied heavily on the testimony of two of the people involved in the bank robbery who agreed to testify in exchange for deferred sentencing.
U.S. Magistrate Court Judge James Klindt presided over the court while students were given 10 minutes to present closing arguments to a jury consisting of former Jacksonville Bar Association President Dan Bean of Holland & Knight, Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association President Lindsay Tygart-Havice of Murphy & Anderson, former U.S. Attorney Paul Perez of Fidelity National Financial, Florida Times-Union reporter Paul Pinkham, Florida Coastal Assistant Professor Lois Ragsdale, radio host Melissa Ross of WJCT 89.9 FM, and attorney Bill Sheppard of Sheppard, White, Thomas & Kachergus. (This reporter also served on the jury.)
Students were judged on how they built their argument, how they exposed weaknesses in opposing counsel’s argument, courtroom presence and professionalism.
They were given tips from jurors at the end of the competition.
“I would take the demonstrative exhibits out of the courtroom,” said Sheppard, referring to the enlarged pictures of the evidence. “You are taking the judge out of the game. He can’t see the jury and the jury can’t see him.”
Klindt took note of how the students carried themselves.
“I’m really impressed with how all of you handled yourselves during the competition,” said Klindt. “It was very evident that you put a lot of work into preparing for this.”
Spohrer & Dodd President and Senior Partner Robert Spohrer attended to host the event.
“Our firm is delighted to be a small part of the legal education of these outstanding students,” said Spohrer. “Their enthusiasm for trial advocacy is contagious. We are always amazed at the level of skill demonstrated by the competitors.”
The firm donated $4,000 in scholarships to the top three advocates, with $2,500 going to the first-place winner, $1,000 to second place and $500 to third place.
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