The University of Akron School of Law trial team had a strong performance at the recent Academy of Trial Lawyers at Allegheny County Competition (ATLAC, formerly Gourley) in Pittsburgh, Pa. The team, comprised of student advocates Amanda Bunner, Marissa Pappas and Nick McGroarty, finished in second place.
After scoring the highest amount of points of all of the teams advocating on behalf of the plaintiff, Bunner and Pappas competed against the team from Duquesne Law School in the final round. Bunner and Pappas had a great final round and obtained a $50,000 verdict in favor of their client, McGroarty. The ATLAC tournament is a unique competition, which focuses on a personal injury suit and provides doctors and medical professional as expert witnesses. John Rubis, 2008 graduate of Akron Law and Caryn Peterson, 2007 graduate of Akron Law, volunteered as coaches.
“I am very proud of our advocates’ performance,” said Joann Sahl, assistant director of the Legal Clinic. “Their strong finish demonstrates once again why the trial teams at The University of Akron School of Law have a national reputation.”
The ATLAC Competition originated in 1962 as a friendly competition between the two area law schools, Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. Today, the competition includes law schools from the east coast and midwest regions.