Linda Anderson Trial Ad Competition

A man enters a stranger’s housing thinking it is his friend’s. The street names are very similar and the house numbers are identical between the two houses. The homeowner doesn’t know who the intruder is, gets frightened, and shoots the intruder. What are the legal ramifications?

Members of the BYU Law School Trial Advocacy Team debated this scenario for a week and a half during the Linda Anderson Trial Ad competition. Kennard Keeton and Matt Morrise are the winners of this year’s Linda Anderson Trial Ad competition with Eli McCann and Jeff Barlow as the runners-up.

Trial Advocacy is renowned for preparing students for courtroom experience. It is a way to gain practical experience before entering an official court of law.

“It gives you a chance to develop skills and prepare for a career as a trial lawyer,” Keeton said. “It requires a different skill set than doing well in the classroom. This gives those of us who may not have the best grades a chance to set ourselves apart and excel.”

Morrise agrees and believes trial advocacy is the highlight of his legal education.

“Being a member of the Trial Advocacy will be what I best remember about law school,” he said.

This year’s judges were Dave Backman, Scott Romney, and Brett Tolman, U.S. Attorney for the district of Utah. They were impressed with the students’ poise, articulation, and preparation through the competition. Backman said he believes these students are well ahead of their competition and have jumpstarted their career as trial lawyers.

Posted: October 26, 2009