University of West Florida Mock Trial Team hosts 2019 Argo Invitational
The University of West Florida Mock Trial Team hosted the eighth annual UWF Argo Invitational on Jan. 19 and 20. The event, which was held in the UWF Mock Trial Courtroom, is sponsored by the Stetson University College of Law. A total of 24 teams from 14 universities competed in the tournament this year. Local judges and attorneys judged the tournament.
Florida State University placed first in the competition, followed by the University of South Carolina and Texas A&M University, in second and third place, respectively. The University of West Florida earned two individual awards as well as an honorable mention for the team.
Attendees also included teams from the University of Alabama, Auburn University, Dillard University, University of Florida, University of South Florida, Kennesaw State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Mercer University, Millsaps College, Mississippi Valley State University, Mississippi University for Women and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The UWF Mock Trial Team was coached by Michael Stallings, a local trial attorney and UWF alumni.
The UWF Mock Trial Team is a member of the American Mock Trial Association, a national organization that has sponsored mock trial competitions at the undergraduate level for more than 30 years. Since the formation of the team in 2001, UWF has competed in regional and national competitions, earning numerous team and individual awards. Many of the team members representing UWF in the tournament are legal studies or pre-law majors.
“We were thrilled to host this amazing tournament on our campus for the eighth year in a row with the help of our community partners,” said Dr. Kimberly McCorkle, vice provost, professor and Argo Invitational coordinator. “Participating on a college mock trial team provides students the valuable opportunity to develop legal knowledge, public speaking and critical thinking skills that will serve them well in law school and beyond.”
For more information about the UWF Department of Administration and Law, visit uwf.edu.