Memphis Injury Lawyer Blog

For those of you who may follow this ongoing conversation about the law, you may have noticed that I have taken an extended break from publication of new items on this blog. As with any busy professional, my professional life when joined with my personal life is often quite hectic. Also, I have chosen to approach my writing as a serious avocation. This has resulted in many hours of research and writing in order to try and produce a meaningful dialogue.

It surprised me how intellectually and professionally challenging this process had become. As a result, I took a break. I focused on my personal and professional life and then assumed a new responsibility as one of the coaches for the Rhodes College Intercollegiate Mock Trial team. The Rhodes team has flourished under the direction of Dr. Marcus Pohlman and has produced four national championships and many All American team members.(orgs.rhodes.edu/mock)

This competition is based upon a constructed set of facts and law under the auspices of The American Mock Trial Association (www.collegemocktrial.org).This organization was founded in 1985 by Dean Richard Calkins of Drake Law School. AMTA serves as the governing body for intercollegiate mock trial competition. Through engaging in trial simulations in competition with teams from other institutions, students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as a knowledge of legal practices and procedures. AMTA sponsors regional and national-level competitions, as well as providing interesting and complex case materials for academic use. AMTA also sponsors mediation simulation tournaments.

These young people most of whom aspire to becoming members of the bar are nothing short of amazing. Their dedication and enthusiasm is inspirational to me. It is amazing to work with college students on things such as how to present a case at trial or the Rules of Evidence and to observe that their skill level surpasses some practicing attorneys that I know. In April of 2010, the National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Championships are going to be held here in Memphis. The best and the brightest of these collegiate teams (U. C. L. A.; Harvard; Columbia; Stanford, by way of example only) will, beginning this month, begin competing for slots at the national tournament in April.

Hosting a national tournament of over 60 teams is no small undertaking. Undertaking to coach and guide future attorneys is, in my opinion, a way to give back to a profession that has been very good to me for over 30 years.

It is my intention to update the progress of the Rhodes College Mock Trial Team from the upcoming invitational tournaments through what will hopefully be a position in the National Championship tournament in Memphis. Allow me to say at this point in time, whether or not these young men and women are extended a bid to the national championship does not matter to me. The hard work, energy and sacrifice that these college students are exhibiting indicates to me that they are already champions.