Earlier this month, Justin and Rakin volunteered as judges at the Costello mock trial competition. George Mason University’s (GMU) Antonin Scalia Law School hosted its 16th annual John L. Costello National Criminal Law Trial Advocacy Competition, which featured 31 teams from 21 law schools across the United States.
Dozens of GMU students volunteered as witnesses, practicing attorneys acted as judges, and many more laypersons participated as jurors. The early rounds took place on George Mason University’s Arlington campus, while students in the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final rounds competed at the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.
Curcio Law has developed a close relationship with George Mason University, and we always welcome the opportunity to participate in the development of future attorneys. The event provides law school students with practice in a courtroom and allows students to develop litigation skills that aren’t always taught in law school classrooms.
Consistent with that relationship and our belief in giving back to the community and improving our profession, Tom also participated in a deposition demonstration at the GMU law school this month. This demonstration was organized by Professor Michael Davis for his students studying litigation and is intended to expose students to real-world experiences.
As he has in the past, Tom played the role of the plaintiff’s lawyer, deposing a defendant in an automobile personal injury case in front of approximately 100 2nd and 3rd-year law students. Following the demonstration, Tom and fellow trial lawyer Eugene Miller, who prepared the defendant and defended the deposition, discussed with the students, and Professor Davis, what each hoped to accomplish during the deposition and answered questions from the students.
