Amber Milliron of Yorkville Finds Success at Regional Competition

2013 Feb 25

The Lewis University Mock Trial team qualified for the national tournament when it tied for first place in the regional competition Feb. 16-17 at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet. It is the second consecutive year the team has won a bid to the American Mock Trial Association Opening Round Championship Series in St. Louis, Mo. It is the 12th national bid for the team since 2000.

Lewis University had two teams competing at the regional competition. With a 7-1 record, Lewis University Team A tied for first place with University of Illinois Champaign, University of Michigan Ann Arbor and University of Chicago. Team A members include Megan Arehart, David DeSchepper, Meghan Gilbert, Cedelle Kupfer-Escobedo, Austin McCartney, Cassandra Myers, and Sara Morgan.

Team B finished with a record of 2-6 but finished with the highest combined strength on competition than any other team in the tournament. "That indicated that Team B had the toughest schedule of all the teams present," explained Dr. Jim Houlihan, head coach. The team did not qualify for the national tournament. Team B consisted of Mary Bradley, Natosha Burton, Audrey Donovan, Amber Milliron, Michael Noe, Ron Jovi Ramirez, Anthony Scorzo and Tiffany Wasilewski.

Amber Milliron of Yorkville, Ill. studies business administration at Lewis University.

Lewis university students from both teams earned individual honors. Austin McCartney won an All Regional Witness award for his role on the defense and David DeSchepper won an All Regional Attorney award for his role on the plaintiff side. Natosha Burton won an All Regional Witness Award for her role on the defense.

"There were several students that nearly missed individual honors," noted Houlihan. Morgan just missed as an All Regional Attorney, while Gilbert and Myers just missed All Regional Witness. Noe just missed as All Regional Attorney and All Regional Witness.

In the last 16 years, the Lewis University team has finished in the Top Ten at the regional competition 16 times.

Coaches for the Lewis Mock Trial team include Dr. Houlihan, head coach; and Lewis alumni William Rock of Block Klukas & Manzella law firm in Joliet as attorney coach, John Senese of the Peter Francis Geraci Law Offices in Chicago as lead team coach; and Brandi Sanders, special needs counselor, as witness coach. Attorney Coach Paul Namie of Sarkisian and Fleming is coaching the team this year as well.

Lewis University's Mock Trial Team offers essential learning for those entering the field of law and is one of the strongest programs in the entire nation. Contact Dr. James Houlihan at houlihja@lewisu.edu or 815-836-5313 for more information.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit http//www.lewisu.edu for further information.