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 2005-2006 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, Victoria
Brown-Douglas, and Charles
Bobis. 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.
Executive Board for 2008-2009
Executive Director - Meghan M. Dolan
Managing Director - Michael Vicario
Externals Director - Rick Fasano
Internals Director - Priya Mohan
Special Events Director - Richard Seelig
Associate Managing Director - Konstantine Paschalidis
Training Coordinator - Rob Miklos
Youth Trial Coordinator - Paul Pagano
Director of McKenna Forum - Amanda
Pappalardo
Director of Advocate in the Spotlight - Ryan
Shaffer