Haub Law’s team places first in the Puerto Rico Trial Advocacy Competition

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The Haub Law Trial Advocacy team set a precedent for the School when they placed first in the recently held Puerto Rico Trial Advocacy Competition, hosted by Inter American University. The Competition was held in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico at the Jose V. Toledo Federal Building and United States Courthouse from April 7–9, 2022. After two plus years of virtual competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was the first in-person competition for the Haub Law competitors, Krittika ‘Kye’ Shah (3L), Alina Rizhinashvili (3L), Phillip O’Meara (3L), and Daniel Petrillo (2L).

The Haub Law team competed against 12 other schools under the guidance of their outstanding and dedicated coaches Giuliana Trivella, Esq., Andre Ingenito, Esq., and Joseph Russo, Esq. All of the Haub Law coaches are also alumni of the law school and the advocacy program. In addition to placing first in the overall competition, team member Daniel Petrillo won ‘Best Advocate’, Alina Rizhinashvili won ‘Best Direct’, Krittika ‘Kye’ Shah and Phillip O’Meara won perfect scores, and every award category included a nomination for at least one Haub Law competitor advocate.

“The moment of victory was a bittersweet one. As we received a standing ovation, we also came to realize this would be the last time most of our team competed under the guidance of our fantastic coaches,” said Haub Law 3L and team captain, Krittika ‘Kye’ Shah. “Phil has been with our coaches since the second semester of his 2L year, Alina, and I since the first semester of our 3L year. Every single advocate on this team has at one point or another won an individual award under these coaches. Not only are they phenomenal teachers but the love, care, and attention they have provided us all on an individual level has helped us grow as lawyers and as people. I cannot thank the advocacy program enough for connecting me with these advocates and coaches for my last competition in law school. I could not have asked for a better team and friends.”

Haub Law alumna and coach, Giuliana Trivella, Esq. said “I am so proud of all my students for always working hard, always performing to the best of their abilities, and always being kind to each other throughout the process.” She continued, “These advocates represent the best of the advocacy program. I am also thankful for my fellow coaches, Andre and Joey. The long-nights we spent teaching evidence, deciphering through the fact pattern, and running over directs and crosses were all worth it. This was a fantastic competition, I am thankful to Inter American University for graciously hosting us in beautiful San Juan. We are proud to have represented Haub Law in such a positive light and we hope to keep making the school proud.”

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law’s impressive trial advocacy program once again ranked in the top 15% of law schools, coming in at number 26 this year. Over the last few years, Haub Law has had 28+ Mock Trial and Moot Court Teams, with an average of over 124 student participants on these teams as a whole. The Law School’s Mock Trial and Moot Court teams regularly place at or near the top in competitions. In the fall of 2021, Haub Law hosted its first Advocate in Residence, Gillian More, a lifelong prosecutor with a worldwide reputation in advocacy. Haub Law’s trial advocacy program is led by Lou Fasulo, Director of Advocacy, Moot Court and Client Counseling programs.