The Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute (PTAI) is a
student organization committed to showcasing St. John's law
students' extraordinary talent and interest in trial work. PTAI was
dedicated in memory of Professor Frank S. Polestino in Spring
2001.
With a focus on excellence in trial advocacy, PTAI offers the law
school community trial training programs, internal and external
trial competitions and trial-related legal writing forums and
events. In all our initiatives, PTAI promotes and supports the
Law School’s reputation as a leader in trial advocacy. During the
2004-2005 academic year, the National Institute of Trial Advocacy
(NITA) ranked PTAI the top trial team in the nation.
Every year in the fall , PTAI runs the Charles M. Sparacio
Criminal Internal Trial Competition and the Johnson National Civil
Rights Trial Competition. In the spring, we host the Edward Hart
Civil Internal Trial Competition, the McKenna Forum, the Advocate
in the Spotlight 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.
PTAI's Executive Board manages our daily operations and ensures
that PTAI events and competitions are successful. PTAI's office is
located on the second 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 among their favorite law school experiences.
2012-2013 PTAI Executive Board:
Executive Director: Christopher Dooley
Managing Director: Anthony Scotti
Externals Director: Danielle Drasser
Internals Director: John Marck
Special Events Director: Corinne Fisk
Training Coordinator: Catherine Jahn
Associate Internals Director: Michael Lydakis
Associate Special Events Director: Christina Bezas
Associate Managing Director: Daniel Rocco
Youth Coordinator: Joseph Torda
Director of Public Relations: Rebecca Lowry
For more information about the Frank S.
Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute at St. John's School of Law,
please contact
us.