Local Law School Trial Team Wins National Championship

Los Angeles -- Loyola Law School of Los Angeles’ Byrne Trial Advocacy Team captured the national championship at NITA’s Tournament of Champions, held Nov. 1-3 at Howard Law School in Washington, D.C. The competition was held by invitation only to the top 16 ranked trial advocacy teams in the nation, including those from the law schools of Temple, Stetson, Univ. of Texas, Chicago/Kent and Notre Dame.

Loyola went undefeated in every round. The team was comprised of law students Andrew Higgs, Alison Hazan, Anika Harvey and Brett Wolff. The coveted “Best Advocate” award also went to Loyola, to law student Anika Harvey. The team is coached by Professor Susan Poehls, a 1989 alumna. The assistant coaches are Mark Drew and Jeremy Rawitch (1993 and 2001 graduates, respectively).

“Loyola’s success at this tournament can be attributed to the natural talent and hard work of the students, combined with the dedication and experience of the coaches and local practicing attorneys who prepared them,” said Poehls. Among the nation’s law schools, Loyola Law School holds the ranking of 8th in trial advocacy. [April 2001, U.S. & World Report].

NITA, the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, is a leading provider of trial skills training seminars and litigation-related publications.

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