Buffalo State Mock Trial team shines at annual invitational competition

On Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23, the Buffalo State Mock Trial team competed in the 14th annual “Friar Faceoff” tournament hosted by St. Bonaventure University. The team, comprised completely of first-time competitors, achieved significant recognition: co-captain Julia Lynch, a sophomore television and film arts major, won an “Outstanding Witness” award; Michael Helfrich, a junior economics major, won an “Outstanding Attorney” award; and the entire team walked away with the tournament’s only “Spirit” award, which recognizes “the team that best exemplifies the ideals—civility, justice, and fair play.”

“The work that the team put into their practice throughout the semester has been incredible and I’m so proud of all that they've accomplished.” said David Ben-Merre, Buffalo State English professor and Mock Trial faculty advisor. “Across all four trials, they shined. Buffalo State teams have always exemplified these mock trial ideals and to be honored with such recognition feels so rewarding.”

During the competition, the Buffalo State team won a ballot against St. Bonaventure, tied a ballot against SUNY Fredonia, and narrowly lost a ballot by a score of 108-106 to the tournament’s eventual winner, SUNY University at Buffalo. 

“I am so proud of the team for being two points away from tying the top team at the competition,” Lynch said. “The team has learned so much from this competition, and we're all ready to take the reins and become better. This experience also helped me realize I can be a leader. I didn't have the opportunity to ever be a captain of any team before now; I took the job very seriously.”

In addition, Darling Arias, a junior majoring in forensic chemistry, was recognized as a top witness in multiple trial rounds, and sophomore Nicholas Smith and co-captain junior Aidan Scribner, both political science majors, were recognized as top attorneys in multiple trial rounds. They were joined by commendable performances by teammates Jack Dziedzic, a junior music education major; Josh Lundin, a junior business administration major; and Randy Urena, a junior majoring in forensic chemistry.

The funding for the trip was made by possible by Hodgson Russ, LLP.

“Hodgson Russ LLP was proud to support the students of Buffalo State University, my alma mater, and the next generation of legal professionals, as they competed in the Friar Faceoff Invitational,” said Benjamin Zuffranieri Jr., managing partner at Hodgson Russ. “Hodgson Russ is committed to investing in students who are developing the skills, confidence, and integrity that define great legal advocates.”

More than 700 teams from universities and colleges across the country compete in the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA)’s annual competition. In the fall, teams compete at invitational tournaments like this one, hosted by various schools across the country. This year’s AMTA competition features a criminal case: the defendant has been charged with murdering a fellow contestant on a television reality competition show. While the case itself is fictional, the simulated trial is based on the actual Federal Rules of Evidence. Competitors are given more than 200 pages of material, including witness affidavits, case law, statutes, pretrial motions, stipulations, and exhibits. During each trial, students are responsible for eliciting the facts in the case through nine possible witnesses—investigators, forensic scientists, and various eyewitnesses—while arguing the law before judges, who are usually practicing attorneys themselves.