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UK BLSA Trial Team Wins Regional Tournament

Four students from the University of Kentucky College of Law Black Law Student Association (BLSA) won the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Southern Regional Competition in Cincinnati, Ohio. They will advance to compete in the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial National Competition held March 26-30 in Detroit, Mich. 

The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) is the largest student-run organization in America and represents over 6,000 Black law students at over 200 law schools across the country. 

Jackie Alexander, of Pewee Valley, Ky., Michelle Duncan, of Louisville, Ky., Shawn Garner, of Sand Point, Idaho, and Laquita Stokes, of Memphis, Tenn., represented UK to defeat a competitive field of teams from prestigious law schools to clinch the title.

Mock trials test law students’ ability to try a case alternately as both the prosecutor and defense counsel. To succeed in competition, participants must be articulate, persuasive and think well on their feet, as well as being skilled in making opening statements, witness examinations, cross examinations and closing arguments. Local attorney and UK College of Law graduate Robert Houlihan, Jr. coached the team to victory. Houlihan is a partner with Savage Elliott Houlihan Moore Mullins & Erdmann.

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