Haub Law's National Trial League Team Reigns As Regular Season Champions

In January 2024 the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University trial team won the 2023-2024 National Trial League Competition, making them national champions. This season, Haub Law’s new team is poised to repeat their major accomplishment–and is already halfway there, having just been declared regular season champions for the second consecutive year.

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Throughout the fall 2024 semester, a team of Haub Law students have been competing in the National Trial League (NTL) mock trial competition hosted by Todd Berger at Syracuse University. NTL provides a unique and competitive environment where students have multiple opportunities to hone their trial skills in a fast-paced, online setting throughout the academic semester. It also creates an excellent platform for schools to compete outside the traditional weekend tournament structure.

The competition features 14 teams in a season format, resembling a traditional sports league, with two conferences comprising seven teams each. The regular season consists of seven rounds of competition every two weeks from August through November. Based on win-loss records, point differentials, and total points, the top four teams are selected to move on to the playoffs, which are held in January.

This is the fourth season of NTL and the fourth time the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University has been invited to compete. Twelve Haub Law students participated as advocates during this year’s competition, with many competing in multiple rounds. Advocates included Paige Padula (3L), Katerina Balukas (3L), Alexandra Tagliamonti (3L) (two rounds), Eva Juncaj (3L) (two rounds), Tyler Justic (3L), Madison Lane (3L) (two rounds), Steven Caputo (3L) (two rounds), Priscilla Holloway (3L), and Julia Stueber (3L) (two rounds). Witnesses included Madison Lane (two rounds), Skyler Pozo (2L) (two rounds), Jaimee Villas (3L) (two rounds), and Silvana Martinaj (3L).

During rounds, several Haub Law students were recognized as Best Advocates, including Katerina Balukas, Eva Juncaj, Tyler Justic, Julia Stueber, and Madison Lane (2 rounds).

“I could not be more proud of the collective effort and the outstanding coaching by our recent Alums,” said Director Professor Louis V. Fasulo. “In true Pace Spirit, the collaboration, intensive work and passion displayed throughout the regular season resulted in an unprecedented 2nd regular season top ranking. This competition reflects the best in the competition circuit including great schools, great organization and challenging cases. We look forward to playoff in January.”

Three Haub Law alumni (and former advocates themselves) have coached the team this season: Joseph Demonte ’24, Liam Rattigan ’24, and Matthew Mattesi ’24, who generously dedicated their time despite the demands of their new careers as attorneys, having just passed the bar exam in July 2024.

“The NTL tournament is very challenging as there is limited time to prep the case but our advocates worked together, kept getting better, and never gave up. It truly was an honor to coach the next generation of litigators,” added Alumnus Joe Demonte.

Representing Haub Law in the final round taking place in January will be Madison Lane (3L) and Eva Juncaj (3L). The team will be advocating for both sides, plaintiff/prosecution and defense.