Two South Carolina Law mock trial teams made it to the semifinal round of the 2018 Palmetto State Classic Competition on October 19-21.  The teams were ranked first and second overall after three preliminary rounds, and also received other team and individual honors. 

The team that included Meghan Gasser, Morgan Taylor, Samantha Sanders and Zander Carrier—and coached by South Carolina Law Mock Trial alumni coach Jamie Rutkoski—was named the Most Professional Team by the judges. 

The second team was composed of Madison Hoffman, Tiarra Pitts, Amanda Gaston and Nicholas Brausch, and was coached by South Carolina Law Mock Trial alumni coach Madelyn Dukes. 

Additionally, Gasser and Tiara Pitts received two of only five awards given for Outstanding Advocate.

“I am always amazed at the hard work our students put in and it shows in the results they obtain in competition. We are especially proud anytime judges and attorneys recognize the our students for professionalism in how they handle themselves in a courtroom,” said Mock Trial head coach Brett Bayne.

The contest, held at the University of South Carolina School of Law, included competitors from the University of Georgia, Liberty University, the University of North Carolina, Faulkner University, Charleston and Atlanta’s John Marshall law schools. For the second year in a row, Emory Law took home the top prize.

The competition is hosted by Mock Trial Bar at South Carolina Law. It is judged by dozens of alumni and local attorneys. This year, the final round was presided over by The Honorable Justice George C. James of the South Carolina Supreme Court.