Mock Trial Team captain Erin Monroe showing off her unique Outstanding Attorney Award memento
The Illinois State University Mock Trial Team traveled safely through inclement weather to compete in the Racheter Invitational mock trial tournament sponsored by Central College in Pella, Iowa, on January 17–18, 2020. Twenty-six teams competed in the invitational tournament.
Team captain Erin Monroe received special honors at the tournament’s award ceremony. She was selected as the top attorney on each of the four ballots of the judges who evaluated her performance as a defense attorney throughout the tournament. Based on that perfect score of 20 individual ranking points, tournament officials presented Monroe with an Outstanding Attorney Award designation.
In tournament competition, the Mock Trial Team won a single ballot each from Michigan State University and Wheaton College. The team also took both ballots in its round against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Illinois State also faced Macalester College in competition. Illinois State University posted a respectable 4-4 overall record at the tournament.
The Mock Trial Team is coached by head attorney coach Josh Rinker ’06, an attorney in private practice in Bloomington, and by assistant attorney coach Brad Rigdon, a prosecutor with the McLean County State’s Attorney’s office.
Students interested in competing on the Mock Trial Team must take the POL 283 (Trial Advocacy) course. It is offered in the Spring 2020 semester. If the class is closed, interested students should contact Scott Kording for an override.
