Published February 22, 2016
For the second straight year, a squad from the University of Louisiana Monroe’s Mock
Trial team finished as one of the top-six teams at the American Mock Trial Association
(AMTA) Regional Tournament on Feb. 21. The result qualifies the Gold Squad for the
Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS) in Memphis, Tenn. in March.
Less than 200 of over 900 teams in the regional tournament qualified for the ORCS.
The Gold Squad now heads to the ORCS in Memphis, which serves as the first round of
the AMTA’s national tournament. ULM sent three squads to two regionals, winning two
team awards and two individual awards.
“I am very proud of our students,” said attorney Robert “Bob” Noel, who founded ULM’s
Mock Trial team in 2013. “Every student who competed ranked as a best attorney or
best witness at some point during the competition alongside students from the University
of Alabama, University of Mississippi, Vanderbilt University, and Rhodes College.
ULM belongs to an elite group of universities; our students are an elite group of
individuals.”
During the regional tournament, the ULM Gold Squad secured a win against Tulane University,
Millsaps College, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham; their only loss came against
Rhodes College.
Dr. Joshua Stockley, Associate Professor of Political Science, said, “I offer our
mock trial program as an example—among numerous examples at ULM—of how our university
thinks nationally and how our students compete and win nationally. Academically, we
are an elite institution.”
Adam Nettles, captain of the Gold Squad and junior political science major from Pineville,
said “Our ability to advance to nationals for the second straight year was due to
the sacrifices and hard work of each individual on this team, combined with the support
of our coaches and faculty. Since the start of the academic year in August, even forgoing
some university breaks, we have practiced diligently and rigorously for this opportunity
and with this goal in mind.”
Dr. John Sutherlin, Associate Professor of Political Science, confirmed that sentiment.
“Attorneys Bob Noel and Kyle Moore have done an outstanding job working with our students,”
he said. “Bob and Kyle will continue to prepare our students for the ORCS. I cannot
thank them enough for what they have done.”
The Maroon Squad also competed in the Jackson Regional Tournament and also won an
award. Allena Wiggers, senior finance major from Winnsboro, La., was awarded Best
Attorney in the Regional Tournament.
“While I am honored to have won an award for best attorney, I know that this would
not have been possible without the support of all of my teammates and the guidance
of my coaches and faculty,” said Wiggers. “I am thankful that ULM provided me with
this opportunity and I know that I will be a better student in law school next year
because of it.”
The White Squad competed in the Dallas Regional Tournament. Although they failed to
advance to the ORCS, they did win two awards. Dorae Dadgar, freshman political science
major from West Monroe, La., was awarded Best Attorney in the competition. The White
Squad won the Spirit of the AMTA Award, an award given to the team that displays the
best civility, justice, and fair play.
“I am very proud of the improvements our team made in this tournament,” said Dadgar.
“In every round and in every competition, we strive to improve first as a team and
then second as individuals. I am extremely honored to have won this award and could
not have done this without the support of my teammates and coaches. I am also honored
that our team was recognized for our hard work and exemplary character.”
“What Dorae accomplished is significant,” said Noel. “It is extremely rare for a freshman,
from any school, to win a Best Attorney Award against upperclassman from schools like
Baylor University, Texas A&M University, University of Texas, and Southern Methodist
University.”
ULM’s mock trial team was founded in 2013 by attorney Robert “Bob” Noel, with assistance
from political science professors Dr. Joshua Stockley and Dr. John Sutherlin. In 2015,
the University unveiled the E. Orum Young Mock Trial Courtroom.
For several years, ULM was home to the only active mock trial program in the state.
ULM is the only university or college within Louisiana to advance to the ORCS.
The American Mock Trial Association was founded in 1985 and is the governing body
for intercollegiate mock trial competition. AMTA sponsors regional and national-level
competitions, as well as providing interesting and complex case materials for academic
use.
Presently, the AMTA hosts 24 regional tournaments, eight opening round championship
tournaments and a national championship tournament each season. Approximately 900
teams from over 350 universities and colleges will compete in these tournaments.
