The Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute (“PTAI”), a
student organization dedicated to showcasing the extraordinary
talent and interest in trial work among the students at St. John’s,
was dedicated in memory of Professor Frank S. Polestino in the
Spring of 2001. PTAI focuses on excellence in trial advocacy
and is committed to providing the law school community with trial
training programs, internal and external trial competitions, and
trial-related legal writing forums and events. PTAI
promotes and supports the Law School’s reputation as a leader in
trial advocacy. During the 2004-2005 academic year, PTAI was
ranked the #1 trial team in the nation by the National Institute of
Trial Advocacy (NITA).
In the fall, PTAI runs the Charles M. Sparaccio Criminal
Internal Trial Competition, the Advocate in the Spotlight Forum,
and, with the
Center for Professional Skills, the National Civil Rights Trial
Competition. In the spring, the Institute hosts the Edward
Hart Civil Internal Trial Competition, the McKenna Forum, and the
Brian Peterson Memorial First Year Trial Competition.
Throughout the academic year, PTAI organizes, trains, and prepares
numerous external teams to participate in national trial
competitions around the country, including the NITA Tournament of
Champions and competitions hosted by the Texas Young Lawyers
Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
The faculty advisors for PTAI are Professors Keri
Gould and Victoria
Brown-Douglas. An Executive Board manages the daily
operations of the Institute and ensures that PTAI events and
competitions are successful. The PTAI office is located on
the third floor of the law school. Late into the night, the
office is full of team members working on openings, closings,
directs, and crosses. Team members agree that being involved
in PTAI is the best part of law school.
2009-2010 Executive
Board
Executive Director - Kristin Merani - kristin.merani@gmail.com
Managing Director: Katie Zizza kzizza1@gmail.com
Externals Director: Daniel Minucci
Internals Director: Michael Maffei
Special Events Director: Jenna Mastroddi
Training Coordinator: Robert Recckia
Youth Outreach Coordinator: Vin Ochani
Associate Special Events Directors:
Martha Lapsatis
Adam Sechter
Assistant Externals Directors:
Maria Martinez
Michael Vanunu
Assistant Internals Directors:
Christine Guida
Nadav Zamir
Assistant Special Events Directors:
Charles Kee
Bittany Gurrieri
Burke Josslin
Youth Training Assistant:
Amanda Reynolds
Training Coordinator Assistant:
Patrick Brand