Trial Competition

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas School of Law Board of Advocates will hold the 2006 William H. “Buddy” Sutton Barristers’ Union Trial Competition at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, in the newly opened E.J. Ball Courtroom of the Leflar Law Center. This is the first public event to be held in the School of Law’s new courtroom.

“This annual competition requires students to master law, understand the role of evidence and communicate to jurors,” said Michael Mullane, a professor of law.

Thirty-two teams have participated in the competition, said Hadley Carson Hindmarsh, a third-year law student and chairperson, and Friday the final two teams will present a mock murder trial in front of three judges.

“Working from a previously drafted record, students are judged on their presentation of an opening statement, direct and cross-examinations of witnesses and a closing statement,” according to Caroline Bednar, secretary-treasurer of the Board of Advocates, a student-run organization that coordinates all law school competitions.

Two University of Arkansas School of Law alumni have generously donated their time to judge the competition: Associate Justice-Elect Paul Danielson of the Arkansas Supreme Court and Judge John Scott of the 19^th Judicial Circuit West Court.

The trial competition, named for a retired civil trial attorney and former managing partner of Friday Eldredge & Clark, William H. “Buddy” Sutton, is one of seven competitions that the School of Law holds during the year to give students practical experience in the law. The winners and finalists of this competition will be eligible to compete on a regional level with such schools as Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, Wake Forest University, the University of North Carolina and the University of Mississippi.

The competition is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Arkansas Union parking garage off Stadium Drive.