Pierce Law students compete in National Trial Competition

Four Franklin Pierce Law Center students recently participated in the Northeast Regional of the 32nd Annual National Trial Competition (NTC) held in Hartford, CT.

Participants included third-year students Ashley Hulse and Luke Webster, who finished with a 1-2 record in the preliminary round, and Lauren Crisera and Joseph Tessier who won 3-0 in the preliminary round, advancing to the semi-finals as the top-ranked team. Crisera and Tessier also won their semifinal round, but lost in the finals in an exceptionally close battle, 2-1.

“The National Trial Competition is one of the oldest and most prestigious mock trial competitions in the United States. Every ABA-accredited law school in the country is invited to compete,” says Professor Albert “Buzz” Scherr, director of the Pierce Law's Trial Advocacy Program.

According to Scherr, “This is the third consecutive year Pierce Law has placed a team in the regional finals, and the fourth time in the last six years. Pierce Law has become known throughout the New England law school region for the very high quality of its teams every year.”

Pierce Law alumna Jacalyn Colburn JD ’96, director of legal services at the New Hampshire Public Defender Program and adjunct professor of law at Pierce Law, coached the teams. Kymme Thayer JD ’01, also of the New Hampshire Public Defender Program, assisted.

The NTC encourages and strengthens students' advocacy skills through quality competition and valuable interaction with members of the bench and bar. NTC is co-sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Texas Young Trial Lawyers Association.