Washburn Law Trial Advocacy Team Wins Regional, Qualifies For National Finals
Trial advocacy teams from Washburn University School of Law finished first and second at the 2005 American Trial Lawyers Association Student Trial Advocacy Regional Competition (ATLA STAC) held February 11-12 at Denver, Colorado. Sixteen teams from ten law schools competed in the Denver regional. Washburn's first place team qualifies for the national competition and will compete April 7-10, 2005, in the Final Competition at West Palm Beach, Florida against the thirteen other regional winners.
The ATLA STAC is the elite trial advocacy competition. More than 200 teams, representing nearly every law school in the country participate in 14 regionals for the right to compete in the national finals. Only the winner of each regional qualifies for the final.
After three preliminary rounds of trials, Washburn Law's teams were ranked first and second, qualifying both to proceed to the semifinals. No Washburn team has qualified for the ATLA STAC regional semifinals, much less two. Both teams won their semifinal rounds, creating an all Washburn Law final. Through the semifinals, the Washburn Law teams won a combined 21 out of 24 possible ballots.
Washburn University School of Law Dean Dennis R. Honabach credits the success of the team to the law school's curriculum in trial advocacy and the efforts of key professors and alumni.
In winning the Denver Regional, the team comprised of Bill Burris, Topeka; Brette Hart, Topeka; Nick Purifoy, Lee's Summit, Missouri; and Tom Trunnell, Topeka, was the first team in the nation to qualify for the national finals. The second place team was composed of Michael Burbach, Overland Park; Todd Hiatt, Lawrence; Brandi Studer, Topeka; and Christina Waugh, Topeka.
The trial advocacy teams participate under the direction of Michael Kaye, director of the Washburn Law Center for Excellence in Advocacy. Topeka lawyer and recent Washburn University School of Law graduate Tad Layton coaches the team. A number of other Washburn Law alumni also assisted in coaching the student teams in preparation for the competition.
Nicholas Purifoy, Thomas Trunell.
Coach Tad Layton and Professor Michael Kaye (far right).
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