Akron, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2006 - Two University of Akron School of Law students took top spots at the Landskroner Closing Argument Competition recently held in Cleveland. This marks the fourth consecutive year that University of Akron law students have garnered first and second place in the competition.
Competition winners are:
First Place and a $750 scholarship - Jason Wolfrey of Richmond, Va.
Second Place and a $500 scholarship - Andy Cipriani of Smithers, W.Va.
In addition, UA student Joyce Bell of Cleveland placed fourth.
The Landskroner Foundation for Children, Cleveland, sponsors the competition. Students from all Ohio law schools are invited to compete by submitting an essay about why they want to become a civil trial attorney. Twelve finalists are then selected to deliver a 15-minute closing argument in a civil case before a panel of judges and civil trial attorneys.
“We are very pleased that our students did so well at this event,” says Richard Aynes, dean of UA's School of Law. “They obviously worked very hard to prepare both their initial essays and their closing arguments.”
Since 1982, UA mock trial teams have won two national championships and have been runner-up seven times. During that same period, the law school dominated the Sixth Circuit regional competitions with 45 championships.