Two trial teams from Syracuse University's College of Law placed first and second at the regional American Association for Justice (AAJ) Student Trial Advocacy Competition held recently in Chicago. Fourteen other teams competed in the regional competition.
First-place team members were SU law students Brenton Dadey, Olatokunbo Olaniyan, Katherine Lawler and Joseph Nosse. The second-place team was composed of Michelle Cowan, Rafiel Warfield, Stephanie Dellinger and Rob Genthner. Student clerks for the teams were Meaghan Hearn and Lexi Rojas.
The first-place team of Dadey, Olaniyan, Lawler and Nosse now advances to the AAJ National Trial Competition March 29-April 1 in New Orleans. The students will be accompanied by coaches Travis Lewin, SU law professor; Joanne Van Dyke L'87, SU law adjunct professor; Joseph S. Cote, III L'87; and Jean Marie Westlake L'01.
"It has been a great season, thanks to this group of dedicated students," says Van Dyke. "They are talented, ethical and very professional. They are the epitome of excellence in advocacy, and we are very proud of them."