On the heels of their 2024 national title, the Black Law Student Association Mock Trial team recently prevailed at the Midwest BLSA Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition in Chicago, Illinois.
At the competition, Team Red (pictured left, from left to right: 3L Yaninna Sharpley-Travis, 3L Obasi Ndukwe, 2L Lydia Abraham and 2L Jordyn Dawson) and Team Blue (pictured below from left to right: 2L Caren Teague, 2L Angelina Booher, 2L Karthi Srikanth 2L Mykilah Lewis) competed against one another in the first preliminary round. After their victory, Team Red went on to face Cleveland State University College of Law and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law before meeting Team Blue again for a semi-final rematch. After their victory, Team Red advanced to the Regional Championship round where they defeated Loyola University Chicago School of Law to take first place in the overall competition.
In addition to their bouts against Team Red, Team Blue was victorious against Saint Louis University School of Law and University of Wisconsin Law School and advanced to the Semis. They then competed against Team Red and fought a well-fought battle but Team Red prevailed by the slightest of margins. Both teams will compete in the upcoming national competition in Atlanta in March.
"We are thrilled to return to the national competition to defend our reigning title from last year,” said Dawson and Abraham. “We look forward to an exciting and highly competitive tournament as we strive to maintain our championship status."
In addition to their team placements, Jordyn Dawson was awarded the Midwest Regional Best Plaintiff Advocate, and Caren Teague brought home the Midwest Regional Best Defense Advocate.
Teams argued the mock case Commonwealth of Alexandria v. Devyn Hayes, which involved a 1996 drive-by murder in Vaygas, Alexandria. The investigation relied on eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence and historical gang activity. In their weekly practices, the team is focused on refining their case-in-chief in preparation for the national competition and incorporating feedback from this recent competition to strengthen their arguments.
“We'd like to highlight our phenomenal coaches, Mr. Russell Tye and Mrs. Diane Russell, for their dedication to our teams,” Abraham said. “Every championship and award we've earned are testaments to the confidence and mentorship that Mr. Tye and Mrs. Russell have instilled in us. We would not be the team that we are without them.”