News Archive

IU McKinney was host for the Region 9 round of the National Trial Competition. The event took place February 21 and 22 at the City-County Building in downtown Indianapolis. Professor Fran Watson, '80, was the host of the event. Two teams of IU McKinney students, coached by Professor Novella Nedeff, '83, took part in the competition.

IU McKinney's two teams were made up of 3Ls Payton Cole and Kailey Ruggiero, and Kristin Kane and Samantha Zawodni. Cole and Ruggiero advanced to the final round of eight. Kane and Zawodni did not advance but had success in preliminary rounds by winning three ballots. Professor Nedeff was assisted in her coaching of the teams by Deana Martin. '05.

Over 30 students from IU McKinney volunteered to serve as witnesses and bailiffs, which was a tremendous turnout. "We could not have hosted without this volunteer effort," Professor Watson said. Jessica Cicchini, an attorney at the Marion County Public Defender Agency, also helped with the administration of the competition.

Students from the following law schools participated in the competition: Chicago-Kent College of Law, DePaul University College of Law, John Marshall Law School Chicago, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Saint Louis University School of Law, Southern Illinois University School of Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, University of Illinois College of Law, University of Tennessee College of Law, Valparaiso School of Law, and Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. The winners were from Loyola, and they will advance to compete in the national competition in San Antonio, Texas, March 27-31.