During University of Illinois Foundation Weekend, Andy Langan, a litigation partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago, traveled to the College of Law to coach two of the College’s four Trial Teams. "Having outstanding lawyers like Andy Langan participate in competition prep exposes our students to different viewpoints and styles of practice and mimics the reality of the mock trial event as our students will be judged by active legal practitioners. The Trial Advocacy Program is extremely grateful for such generous contributions of time and talent as Mr. Langan has shared with us." stated Professor Catherine Stahl, Director of the Trial Advocacy Program. Prior to joining the faculty this summer, Professor Stahl was a litigation partner at Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago.
Jacque Donahue, Blake Gibney, Kheana Pollard and Samantha Swartz will compete October 20 – 22, 2017 at the National Trial Advocacy Competition (NTAC) hosted by the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section in Pontiac, Michigan. The NTAC team is coached by Stephanie Hall ‘13, an attorney at Meyer Capel in Champaign. Al Hassani, Britta Johnson, Miriam Lee, and Tanner Long will compete November 3 – 5, 2017 at the Florida National Trial Advocacy Tournament (FNTAT) hosted by University of Florida Levin College of Law in Gainesville, Florida. The FNTAT team is coached by Bridget Schott, an Assistant State’s Attorney in Champaign. Professor Stahl and Dominique Ritvo, Trial Team alum and 2018 JD candidate, provided special assistance to both teams.
The Trial Advocacy Program builds a bridge between the College and the real challenges students encounter when they begin their new professional roles after graduation. The opportunity to interact with and learn from experienced practitioners is an extremely valuable benefit we can give to our students. Alumni are encouraged to come back to campus and share their practical advice and experiences as an Illinois lawyer. In addition to our dedicated Trial Team coaches, the program needs volunteer coaches to support Trial Team members with group practices and one-on-one training during which students fine-tune their skills. Learn more about the Trial Advocacy Program on our website, or reach out directly to Professor Catherine Stahl for additional information.