Members of BYU Law’s Trial Advocacy Team competed in the American College of Trial Lawyers’ Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. BYU Law’s advocates were divided into two teams. The first team included Caroline Lamb and Tanner Bean; the second team included Andrea Kelley, Kurt London, and Samantha Scott. Lamb and Bean concluded the competition as region 12 finalists.
The trial for the competition concerned plaintiff, Madelyn Fortenberry, asserting a wrongful death by negligence claim on behalf of her husband who died in a plane crash while attempting to land on the defendant’s private runway whose lighting system did not activate in the emergency. BYU’s advocates argued about lighting systems, and narrowed in on the duties of both the pilot and the runway owner.
In Region 12, BYU Law’s two teams faced other law schools from Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming in various Oklahoma State courtrooms. Both teams participated in three trials, alternating between plaintiff and defense.
Lamb and Bean advanced to the semi-final round of the competition against the University of New Mexico and with a 3-0 decision, advancing to the final round against University of Colorado. Both teams thank their coach, Peter Leavitt and attribute their success to his investment in each member of the team. Leavitt has led a BYU Law team to the regional finals for three years in a row.