Mock Trial Dominates at Regional Championship

King's outranks UPenn, Brown, Princeton, and Harvard

On the weekend of February 2nd and 3rd, The King’s College Mock Trial traveled to Bristol, Rhode Island for the regional mock trial championship. Though the program at King’s is just two years old, the King’s “A” team finished with a 7-1 record, ranking 2nd overall over UPenn, Brown, Princeton, and Harvard, and securing a slot in the opening round of the National Championships.

A total of 15 students from King’s competed in the regional tournament. The King’s “B” team, made up entirely of freshmen, finished 3-4-1, a “promising” performance, according to President Luke Trouwborst. At the end of the tournament, Trouwborst was awarded an “All-Region” attorney award, and junior Grant Olson won an “All-Region” witness award.

“The case this year is a hypothetical lawsuit filed by Andy Allen against the scuba diving company Neptune Expeditions after his spouse's death on a Neptune trip,” Trouwborst explained. “Attorneys representing the Allens must show ‘to a preponderance of the evidence’ that Neptune ‘breached their standard of care by showing reckless disregard for Lee Allen's safety.’” The company's attorneys, on the other hand, must argue that the Allens caused Lee's death by misleading the company and not disclosing Lee's medical condition, hypertension.

With its emphasis on understanding bedrock legal concepts, Mock Trial is an important addition to The King’s College. “Mock Trial gives students exposure to the basics of the American legal system,” Trouwborst said. “Students learn the rules of evidence, courtroom etiquette, and public speaking skills. The experience is valuable for students considering law school or looking to hone their presentation skills while having fun.”

The future looks bright for the mock trial program at King’s. Still, Trouwborst said, a lot needs to be done, like funding and finding a coach, which he said is “a necessity to compete for national titles in the long term.”

To learn more about The King’s College Mock Trial, click here and “like” the official Facebook page.

The King’s College educates students in the ideas upon which nations rise and fall. With a focused curriculum in the liberal arts tradition, students are prepared to help shape, and eventually to lead, the institutions of government, civil society, media, law, business, education, the arts, and the church. King’s is a Christian college located in New York City.

For more information about The King's College please contact: Matthias Clock
Communications Coordinator
212.659.3602