Recently the Northwood Mock Trial Team competed at the 2014 Mock Trial Tournament hosted by New York University. The event was held at one of the nation’s premier courthouses located in downtown Brooklyn, NY. Invitees included past winners of the Mock Trial National Championship Tournament (NCT) and other strong teams.Northwood University placed third against top schools such as New York University, University of California-Irvine, University of California-Los Angeles, Northwestern University, Harvard University, Rhodes College and Duke University.
Northwood lost its first round to University of California-Los Angeles but defeated Brown University and Harvard University in rounds two and three, respectively. Northwood was paired against New York University in the fourth round and prevailed by winning three scoring ballots.
The Northwood students who competed are Stephanie Hentschel, a senior from Midland; Matthew Williams, a junior from Livonia; Amee Cox, a senior from Liverpool, England; Yancy Cobb, a senior from Detroit; Ibrahim Lawton, a junior from Pontiac; Myisha Ishmeal, a senior from Southfield; and Brittney Newton, a sophomore from Southfield. In addition to the team awards, Ibrahim Lawton was the recipient of an Outstanding Attorney Award.
Professor DeLois Leapheart, advisor for the Mock Trial Team, stated, “Every round featured students who displayed excellent critical thinking skills, elite communications skills and the ability to adapt to the unexpected developments that happened during every trial.”
The next mock trial competition for Northwood students will be held in February at Notre Dame.
