School of Law Hosts 2012 Catholic Middle School Mock Trial Program

May 17, 2012

On Saturday May 12, 2012, the Law School hosted close to 240 students and their families at the Catholic Middle School Mock Trial Program. Celebrating its 10th year, and co-hosted by St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School in Westbury, this year’s competition drew enthusiastic participants from 14 area Catholic schools.

The schools fielded teams to argue People v. Terry O’Neal, a criminal homicide case involving a high school senior who was the driver in a one-car accident that killed one of his passengers. The prosecution put three witnesses on the stand, two eyewitnesses to the incident and the investigating police officer. The defense lawyers called the defendant, a passenger in the car, and an expert witness. The students spent weeks preparing their cases and practicing with lawyer coaches and mentors. On the day of the mock trial, they presented their cases in a realistic setting with Law School faculty, alumni and friends volunteering as judges.

Photo Gallery 1
Photo Gallery 2

“Experiential learning is a cornerstone of our curriculum at St. John’s School of Law,” said Dean Michael A. Simons, one of the co-organizers of the event. “It is an engaging and enriching approach to learning about the practice of law and about the lawyers and other professionals who occupy the field.” Noting that St. John’s University is committed to supporting Catholic education, Dean Simons added, “we’re pleased be able to provide this opportunity to middle school students in our local Catholic schools. Mock trial programs such as this one offer children an invaluable opportunity to gain an insider’s view of our legal system, develop their analytical and reasoning skills, practice public speaking and build their self-confidence. This is an experience that they carry with them into high school and through their higher educational pursuits.”

Paul Clagnaz, the Principal at St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope and co-organizer of the event, noted how well prepared the students were for the challenges of the case and how thoughtfully the judges played their role. Mr. Clagnaz also praised the innovative collaboration between a Catholic law school and the Catholic middle schools. “This program shows the potential for collaboration across the spectrum of Catholic education. Our partnership with St. John’s University exposes our students to learning experiences and opportunities they would otherwise miss.”

Participating Schools:

The De La Salle School, Freeport

  • Coach: Susan Santoro Bevilacqua
  • Moderator: Kevin J. Rall, Dean of Student Life
  • Administrator: Bro. Thomas P. Casey, FSC, Executive Director

Genesis at Xaverian High School, Brooklyn

  • Moderator: Thomas Snyder
  • Administrator: Deacon Kevin McCormack, Principal

Notre Dame School, New Hyde Park

  • Coach: Renee M. Spaulding
  • Administrator: Caryn Durkin, Principal

Our Lady of Lourdes School, Malverne

  • Coach: Lisa A. Scognamillo
  • Moderator Lorraine Letteri
  • Administrator Mary Carmel Murphy

Our Lady of Peace School, Lynbrook

  • Coaches: Jeanette Molina, Richard Ford
  • Moderator: Dawn Battista
  • Administrator: Sister Mary Dowden, Principal

Our Lady of Victory School, Floral Park

  • Coach: Heather McClintock
  • Moderator: Elizabeth Mangione
  • Administrator: Peg Augello, Principal

St. Aidan School, Williston Park

  • Coach: Stephen Lowenthal
  • Administrator: Eileen Oliver, Principal

St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School, Westbury

  • Coaches: Jeff De Georges, Debra Shannon, Lynn Prommersberger
  • Moderator: Debra Shannon
  • Administrator: Paul Clagnaz, Principal

Ss. Cyril & Methodius School, Deer Park

  • Coach: Dawn Walsh, Esq.
  • Moderator: Mary Anne Cowan
  • Administrator: Sister Susan Snyder, Principal

St. Ignatius, Hicksville

  • Moderators: Alison Mertz, Mr. Estrada
  • Administrator: Sister MaryAnn Noonan and Sister Mary O’Donnell, Co-Principals

St. Martin de Porres Marianist School, Uniondale

  • Coach: Roy Vasile
  • Moderator: Andrea Nordquist
  • Administrators: Bro. Kenneth Hoagland, Principal; John Holian, Head Master

St. Patrick School, Bayshore

  • Coach: Louis Mazzola
  • Moderator: Denis DaPuzzo
  • Administrator: Roseann Petruccio, Principal

St. Peter of Alcantara School, Port Washington

  • Coach: Jack Ellwood
  • Moderator: Eleanor Schachter
  • Administrator: Sean O’Connell, Principal

St. Thomas the Apostle School, West Hempstead

  • Coach: Robert Windorf
  • Administrator: Christina Teisch, Principal

Participating Judges:

  • Anna Abrigo, Associate Director, BAR/BRI
  • Samantha Alessi '11, Assistant District Attorney, Queens County
  • Andrea Clarke '06, Assistant District Attorney, Kings County
  • Erica Fine '82, Senior Associate Director, BAR/BRI
  • Nick Hudson ’11, Private Practice
  • Antara Kanth '06, Assistant District Attorney, Queens County
  • Matthew Mundo, Associate Director, BAR/BRI
  • Craig Rokuson '06, White, Fleischner & Fino, LLP
  • Kerry Rowe '06, Assistant District Attorney, Kings County
  • Michael Smith '10, Associate, Nixon Peabody
  • Kimathi Gordon-Somers, Associate Director, Career Development, St. John’s Law School
  • Kareem Vessup ’04, Private Practice

For more information on the Catholic Middle School Mock Trial Program at St. John’s School of Law, please contact Lori Herz, Director of Communications, at herzl@stjohns.edu.