October 2, 2012
Faulkner University Jones School of Law bested the field of 16 law schools from across the nation who competed in St. Mary’s University School of Law’s 2012 Lone Star Classic®, an annual national invitational mock trial tournament, October 11 -13.
“The Lone Star Classic® competition is a wonderful opportunity to showcase San Antonio’s courts and legal community,” said David Schlueter, Hardy Professor of Law and St. Mary’s director of Advocacy Programs. “It is a great chance for students to personally observe excellent advocates from other schools and puts a spotlight on the school’s strong reputation for its advocacy teams and curriculum.”
Cumberland School of Law, Georgia State University College of Law, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and Faulkner advanced to the semifinal rounds. In the final round, Faulkner beat Georgia State for the championship. The three finals judges, Judge Patrick Higginbotham, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, John Murphy, First Assistant United States Attorney, and Donna Coltharp, Supervising Attorney in the Office of the Federal Public Defender complimented the two teams on their outstanding advocacy skills.
St. Mary’s Board of Advocates planned and executed the competition with the support of the local bench and bar who freed up their courtrooms to permit the competition to take place at the courthouses. Nearly 90 attorneys and judges volunteer to judge the preliminary and semi-final rounds. 40 law students served as judges, bailiffs and marshals for this year’s competition.