Professor Catherine Stahl, Director of the Trial Advocacy Program, recently welcomed Judge Roger B. Webber (Circuit Judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Champaign County) and volunteer jurors to the Kimball R. and Karen G. Anderson Courtroom at the College of Law.
Judge Webber presided over a simulated trial exercise with an enthusiastic and engaged jury composed of students admitted to the Class of 2021, undergraduate pre-law students and other colleagues from the University of Illinois. Professor Stahl’s Advanced Trial Advocacy students presented a challenging white-collar criminal case with elements of identity theft, wire fraud, and money laundering. College of Law students Dan Burley, Lydia Faklis, Kiran Gill, Erik Jenkins, Jessica Lee, Sam Rabuck, and Tony Santella delivered an impressive performance at the trial. Judge Webber provided the students with meaningful and constructive feedback, complimenting them on their outstanding individual performances, while suggesting future opportunities for improvement.
Additionally, the jurors took their duties very seriously and reached verdicts with sound reasoning and good judgment. The College of Law places a strong emphasis on trial advocacy training to develop lawyers who graduate with the skills they need to become polished and confident communicators who are practice ready on day one of their legal careers. Such occasions to interact with and learn from distinguished jurists and experienced practitioners are among the valuable benefits the College of Law offers its students.
Many thanks to all who contributed to the success of this event (as well as four upcoming trial simulations), including Judge James K. Borbely (retired), Judge Heidi Ladd, Judge Brett Olmstead, Judge Randall Rosenbaum, Judge Roger Webber, Professor Jason Mazzone, Professor Renee Monfort, Professor Jennifer Pahre, Professor Julia Rietz, Ms. Suzanne Rogers (Associate Director of Admissions), Assistant Dean Rebecca Ray, Professor Miranda Soucie, Mr. Thanin Stewart (Visiting Law Associate), Ms. Jamie Thomas-Ward (Director, Pre-Law Advising), and our wonderful volunteer jurors.