Mock Trial team members Jake Keanna, Ian Leon, Catherine Ingersoll and Cassandra Pomarico advanced as one of four semifinalist teams in the 16-team field after going 3-1 in preliminary rounds. They lost a hard-fought trial in the semi-finals to eventual champion UCLA.

Coaches Ryan O’Neill ’08 and Sean McGuinness ’09 had high praise for the four competitors and all students in the organization.

"I want to recognize the collective effort of all students in the mock trial program, both past and present, for their hard work and dedication toward advancing trial advocacy skills and raising the profile of Quinnipiac Law,” said O’Neill.

This was the team’s first invitation to TOC, a tournament that has been held every fall for more than a decade. TOC invites the top 16 teams in the nation using a point system that accumulates points over a three-year period based on performances in the two open national competitions.

Quinnipiac Law was ranked 11th nationally out of more than 250 schools and was invited this Fall.

This year’s TOC fact pattern was a defamation action based loosely on the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial and the final round was presided over by Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez.

Quinnipiac Law students were praised throughout the weekend by prestigious members of the Southern California bench and bar for their exceptional performance and mastery of trial advocacy skills.

McGuinness attributes the team’s success to the hard work of everyone involved with the law program.

“The invitation to TOC and the success this weekend is a product of not only the students who competed in this competition but of all of the students, faculty members and alumni who have dedicated their time and effort over many years toward supporting and advancing the Quinnipiac Law program in its continuing pursuit of exceptional trial advocacy training,” said McGuinness.

TOC has been recognized as the most competitive fall tournament and the most difficult competition in which to advance, underscoring the magnitude of Quinnipiac Law’s accomplishment.