Three UNM law students who participated in a regional mock trial competition in early February broke a 13-year dry spell by winning the event and advancing to nationals.
Brenda Saiz, David Fine and Matt Madrid swept the competition, which was in Norman, Okla., Feb. 7-9, and included 20 other law school teams from around the nation.
Saiz said a judge that critiqued her team earlier this year made her aware of the valuable experience she was receiving.
"It takes about two years of trial work after graduation to achieve what we have by participating in this competition," she said.
About 260 teams enter the competition but only 25 will join the UNM team for nationals.
Saiz, a second-year UNM law student, said she had to try out for the team in November.
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"The try outs were open to any law student who was in their second or third year," she said. "Six students were chosen to form two teams for the regional competition."
Saiz said the teams must go through extensive training before the regional competition.
"Our two coaches put us through a lot of drills like how to handle witnesses on the stand and opening and closing statements," she said.
Fine, a third-year UNM law student competed in the mock trial regional competition last year and said he is looking forward to competing in this year's nationals, which will be in Austin, Texas, April 3-6.
"In law school, there are very limited chances to get this sort of experience," he said. "We have to think about the law, how to use it and learn how to do the necessary research."
Fine added that the benefits of long practices outweigh the disadvantages.
"Even with the sacrifice of not getting much homework done, it is well worth it," he said. "You can't do anything like this in law school."
Steve Scholl, an adjunct professor who teaches trial practice at the UNM School of Law and runs a law firm with Brent Bailey, said he has been coaching teams for the competition since 1992 and was part of the last winning team from UNM in 1989. Bailey also coaches the team.
"I've coached about 65 to 70 lawyers who are now practicing lawyers in New Mexico," Scholl said. "Brent and I have a lot of fun coaching because it recharges our batteries every year."
He said practices for the national competition have been underway since the beginning of January.
"We usually work Monday through Thursday from about 6 p.m. to midnight and Saturday from about 9 p.m. to 5 p.m.," Scholl said. "We critique the case once it's finished."
He said it is important for the students to bring something different to the trial.
"We take the teams and teach them how to capitalize on what they've obtained scientifically," Scholl said. "We help them find their own artistic flare."
The law school team has a rough road ahead of it at the national competition. The team will participate in several trials during the three-day period and a panel of judges will score each one.
"The margin of difference in each competition is about two to three points, so there are never any blowouts," Scholl said.
Fine said he looks forward to observing other teams from around the nation.
"I think it will be really interesting to see other teams and how they handle the case," he said.
Scholl said he is impressed with the amount of effort the team puts into its practices.
"These guys are all top students and are really going to represent UNM well," he said.
Although the team is going to be spending most of its time in the courtroom, Saiz said the group is looking forward to a great experience.
"We are all really excited about going to the nationals in Texas, and we are all brushing up on our Texas strolls," Saiz said.
