The Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell are hosting the second National Medical-Legal Trial Competition on Nov. 1-3.
The competition features a new and unique approach to a mock trial competition — it’s the only trial competition in the country in which a medical school and a law school collaborate to simulate real-life expert testimony by doctors.
In this year’s competition, a new resource will be provided to the competitors: Each team will have access to leading industry consultants from DOAR, a litigation-strategy and expert-witness consulting firm, for support with trial graphics and presentation.
“Last year’s trial competition demonstrated the phenomenal advocacy skills of the participating law school students, and we anticipate that this year’s will be nothing short of exceptional,” said Jared Rosenblatt ’03, tournament director and faculty advisor to the Hofstra Trial Advocacy Association (HTAA). “DOAR’s involvement adds to our competition because it allows students to consult with a renowned litigation strategy firm to create unique exhibits. We thank DOAR for their contributions to the event and their continued support of the law profession and of future attorneys.”
“We are excited to participate in this event for a second year and to support the next generation of attorneys,” said Gene Klimov, chief technology officer and managing director at DOAR. “Our participation in the tournament will enable teams to access real-world trial professionals who have expertise helping top-tier attorneys communicate their trial strategies most effectively.”
Upon release of the fact pattern, a Zucker School of Medicine student is assigned to each competing school to play the role of an expert witness. Each school will prepare the medical student for the trial, and the medical student will be available to consult on medical issues. During the competition, the medical expert may be cross-examined on any material relevant to their testimony, including literature not contained in the fact pattern.
“We’re pleased to partner with Hofstra Law on the trial competition,” said Gino Farina, MD, assistant dean for clinical preparation for residency at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. “It is an opportunity for our students and faculty alike to learn how medical expertise and evidence can influence the outcome of legal cases and impact the rule of law.”
The three preliminary rounds of the competition will be held at the Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola, New York. Following the third round, a banquet will be held for all competitors and coaches, at which awards will be distributed. The semifinal and final rounds will be held in Hofstra Law’s Weitz & Luxenberg Trial Courtroom, which was recently redesigned and updated with the latest advancements in courtroom technology.
To ensure fairness to all competing teams, all rounds will be judged by practicing attorneys or sitting judges. Hofstra Law is excited to host the competition but will not compete.
Ten law schools are competing in the 2019 competition:
• American University Washington College of Law
• Brooklyn Law School
• Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
• Chicago-Kent College of Law
• Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
• Quinnipiac University School of Law
• St. John’s University School of Law
• University at Buffalo School of Law
• University of South Dakota School of Law
• William & Mary Law School, 2018 Winner
For any questions about Hofstra Law’s National Medical-Legal Trial Competition, please contact Jared Rosenblatt at 516-571-3461 or lawjrr@hofstra.edu.
The post Hofstra Law and Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell to Host 2nd National Medical-Legal Trial Competition appeared first on Hofstra Law News.