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University of Houston Law Center’s Mock Trial Team wins the TEX-ABOTA Best in Texas Voir Dire Tournament

Winners

University of Houston Law Center’s mock trial team wins voir dire championship pictured are, from left, coach Erik Baumann, Jeff Krumpholz, Mercy Obisesan, Jessalyn McAlister and coach Christine Weems.

Oct. 19, 2023 — The University of Houston Law Center’s Mock Trial Team triumphed at the Best in Texas Voir Dire Competition that was hosted by the TEX-ABOTA at the end of September.

The competition consisted of Texas law schools competing for the winning title at the TEX-ABOT tournament through the process of selecting jurors and opening statements. The team defeated Texas Tech in the semi-final round and South Texas College of Law – Houston in the championship round.

UHLC mock trial members Jessalyn McAlister, Jeff Krumpholz and Mercy Obisesan made sure to bring the title home to Houston. The team was coached by Judge Christine Weems of the 281st Civil District Court and UHLC Mock Trial Program Director, and Erik Baumann, partner at the Hudgins Law Firm and UHLC adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy.

“I am especially excited for our students to win this particular tournament in part because as a judge I value the importance of the Seventh Amendment but also because of how few opportunities there are to practice jury selection,” Weems said.

UHLC previously won the TEX-ABOTA Best in Texas Mock Trial Tournament in 2021.

TEX-ABOTA is the Texas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates founded in 1991 by Bob Vial in Dallas. It serves more than 1,300 Texas members and 15 Texas chapters of ABOTA that focus on the preservation and promotion of the right to trial by jury assured by the 7th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The UHLC National Mock Trial program is part of the Blakely Advocacy Institute. Through these mock trial competitions, law students expand their knowledge of the rules of procedure and evidence and develop courtroom skills and persuasion tactics.

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