February 15, 2022

TAHP Teams Demonstrate Trial Advocacy Prowess at Regional Competition

Please join us in congratulating our Trial Advocacy Honors Program and TAHP-ers Anora Abramova, Ayman Bahrun, Alexa Chavez, Mahnam Ghorbani, Alex Welfringer, and Christina Kartashyan! They competed in a regional round of the Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition held virtually from February 4-6, 2022. 

We were fortunate to have two Southwestern teams at this year's competition, with the team of Mahnam Ghorbani, Alex Welfringer, and Christina Kartashyan making it to the semi-finals! Both teams had strong rounds and demonstrated excellent trial advocacy skills.

The first Southwestern team, Team AAA, included advocates Anora Abramova, Ayman Bahrun, and Alexa Chavez, coached by alumni Jeremy Davis, Negin Mostadim, and Michelle Lewis. Anora Abramova and Alexa Chavez were the prosecution team, while the defense team was Ayman Bahrun and Alexa Chavez. Alexa Chavez was the switcher, learning and conducting both sides of the case.

The second Southwestern team, Team MAC, included Mahnam Ghorbani, Alex Welfringer, and Christina Kartashyan, coached by alumni Jennifer Turner, Melissa Romo, and Mark Montellana. The prosecution team was Mahnam Ghorbani and Alex Welfringer, while the defense team was Christina Kartashyan and Alex Welfringer. Alex Welfringer was the switcher, learning and conducting both sides of the case. Huge shout out to Team MAC on advancing to the semi-final round!

The National Trial Competition was established in 1975 to encourage and strengthen students’ advocacy skills through quality competition and valuable interaction with members of the bench and bar. The program is co-sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers and is designed to expose law students to the nature of trial practice and to serve as a supplement to their education. It is the Texas Young Lawyers Association's intent to provide a meaningful contribution to the development of future trial lawyers. 

This competition requires teams of two to three students: one advocate is a switcher, performing both prosecution and defense sides, while the other advocates learn either defense or prosecution sides of the case. Each school has to provide witnesses for the competition, yet the teams do not get to use their own witnesses. It is a blind witness pool that each advocate has to direct. Each team has to “woodshed” their unknown witness for 15 minutes before the round begins.

This year, the criminal competition problem revolved around a possession and intent to deliver charge. The dispute focused on whether Timmy Williams, who was found in the apartment, was guilty of possession and intent to deliver cocaine.

Please join us in congratulating all of our advocates on a job well done! The Trial Advocacy Honors Program is so proud of your dedication and advocacy skills in representing Southwestern!