HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 415 Offered February 28, 2006 Commending Regent University School of Law's Trial Advocacy Board competition team. ----------
Patrons-- Iaquinto, Alexander, Cosgrove, Gear, Howell, A.T., Joannou, Melvin, Miller, Purkey, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Ward, Wardrup and Welch; Senators: Blevins, Lucas, Miller, Norment, Quayle, Rerras, Stolle and Wagner
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WHEREAS, Regent University School of Law's Trial Advocacy Board competition team is recognized for winning the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Trial Competition held at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, a team of four Regent University School of Law students competed against universities from across the nation in a mock trial competition on November 11, 2005, and placed first above teams representing law programs at Georgetown, the University of Richmond, and the University of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, the outstanding team of Courtney Applebach, David Bateman, Chris Parker, and Shelly Smith were aided in case research, preparation of arguments, and courtroom protocol by Regent University law professor James Duane; and

WHEREAS, Regent's Trial Advocacy Board has won many awards and has consistently placed among the top teams in its five-year existence; this was the first time it brought home a national first place competition award; and

WHEREAS, the Trial Advocacy Board gives selected students who demonstrate strong leadership and volunteerism a chance to share in the courtroom experience of local bar members during monthly workshops; a new team is also elected from the board for several major law competitions during the year; and

WHEREAS, competitions attempt to create the rigors of an actual court trial, and Regent's Trial Advocacy Board competitors excel in the art of oral persuasion, rules of evidence, and the mastery of opening statements, closing arguments, and cross-examinations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Regent University School of Law's Trial Advocacy Board competition team for its first place finish in the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Trial Competition; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Regent University Trial Advocacy Board competition team as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of its hard work and outstanding performance.