The Right Stuff: Mock Trial at Seattle Regional Mock Trial

2020 Mock Trial Team
February 13, 2020
Jackie Treiber

The Gonzaga University Mock Trial Program is no stranger to historic wins. Since its inception, the program has garnered successes at intercollegiate competitions in the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA). This year is no different.

The weekend of February 8th - 9th, twenty-two teams from ten schools competed at the Seattle Regional Mock Trial Tournament, hosted by the University of Washington. The top six teams from this competition will advance to the Opening Round Championship Series in Geneva, Illinois. 

For the second year running, the Gonzaga University A-team secured the Regional Championship -- with a record seven wins, one tie, and zero losses. An Outstanding Attorney Award went to senior Mai Contino, and junior Luke Pfister earned both Outstanding Attorney and Outstanding Witness awards.

Gonzaga University's B-team finished with a record of five wins, two losses, and one tie, finishing in sixth place overall. Sophomore Sanskruti Tomar earned an Outstanding Witness Award, and freshman Emily Gates was the only attorney in the competition to receive an Outstanding Attorney Award with a perfect score.

Gonzaga University's C team finished strong with a record of three wins, four losses, and one tie. Freshman Charles Buttler and sophomore Alyssa Durst both earned Outstanding Witness Awards.

Finally, Gonzaga's C team finished strong with a record of 3 wins, four losses, and one tie. Freshman Charles Buttler and sophomore Alyssa Durst both earned Outstanding Witness Awards.

Both A and B teams earned bids to the Opening Round Championship Series in Geneva, Illinois.

College of Arts & Sciences Interim Dean, Matt Bahr, offers his congratulations, "For over two decades the Mock Trial program has been a truly transformational experience. We celebrate the successes of competing and winning at the highest levels, while also recognizing that the impact on our students is profound and lifelong. This work prepares them to be ethical thinkers and leaders in an increasingly connected and rapidly changing world."

Gonzaga's Mock Trial Program is one of the most popular experiential learning opportunities for undergraduates, and students of the program go onto fruitful careers in law, politics, and public service.