A member of Eastern Michigan University's Mock Trial team received a Best Attorney Award and one of its two teams placed ninth in their division at the National Tournament in Richmond, Ky., March 18-20. This was the first time EMU's Mock Trial team has ever qualified for nationals.
Robert Dobronski, a senior who has been on the team for two years, was designated an All-American Attorney and won one of the 12 Best Attorney awards given.
 |
COURTROOM KING: Eastern
Michigan University senior
Robert Dobronksi was
designated an All-American
Attorney at the National Mock
Trial Team Tournament March
18-20. |
"I clearly recall being at the awards ceremony of the competition and being surprised when they called my name," Dobronski said. "I didn't think I would win it, though I knew I was close."
Dobronski transferred to EMU from Scottsdale Community College, where he competed in Mock Trial competitions for one season. He plans to attend law school in the fall.
"As for mock trial, I would like to come back and student coach it at EMU while I am in law school," Dobronski said. "This year, I found that I enjoyed working with the people on the team more than actually competing and I would like to continue on that path, if possible."
Dobronski said he wants to become a trial attorney or a judge because he loves the feeling of the courtroom.
"He is simply a natural," said Barry Pyle, associate professor of political science and an academic coach of EMU's Mock Trial team. "He is one of the best I've ever seen doing mock trial. He is just that good."
In addition to Dobronski's effort, EMU's team made a strong showing, finishing ninth in the Garner division. At nationals, 48 colleges were represented, 24 in each division (the other division was termed Paisley). EMU competed with the likes of the University of Chicago, Harvard University, University of Michigan, New York University, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin and the University of Pittsburgh.
"The team performed incredibly well," Pyle said. "On Saturday night, they were third in their division after three rounds."
Pyle said the team lost one round by three points and the other round by one point. Approximately four points separated EMU and the third-place teams. Third place would have sent EMU's team to the championship tournament in Iowa, he said.
"It means they were very close and very competitive," Pyle said of his squad.
 |
BRAGGING RIGHTS: Eastern Michigan University's
Mock Trial Team placed ninth in the Garner
Division at nationals.
|
The national tournament consisted of three days of intense competition, with four rounds of trials. Teams could receive two ballots for every trial and get opinions from judges eight times in four trials. One round took about three hours.
Two competing teams act as prosecution and defense. Attorneys are scored on opening and closing statements as well as direct and cross-examination. The scores are based on presentation and the attorney's ability to integrate the substantive, legal and procedural aspects of the case. Witnesses are scored on their performance under direct and cross-examination.
This year's case was a civil case, entitled "Kissner v. Polk Hospital." Tony Kissner, a young amateur golfer, filed suit against Polk Hospital for its negligence in releasing Martin Dutcher, a former schoolteacher who had assaulted two of his students. Dutcher had struck Kissner in an altercation and had committed suicide. Kissner alleged that he had been injured because of the negligence of Polk Hospital and was entitled to damages.
Eastern Michigan qualified for the national tournament after two teams took fifth and seventh place out of 22 colleges (26 teams) at the Midwestern Regional Tournament at Notre Dame University Feb. 4-6.
Of EMU's 16 team members, only three of them had previously participated in Mock Trial, Pyle said.
"This was the greatest group of kids I've ever had a chance to work with," Pyle said. "We were very happy. We've worked very hard and the experience was very beneficial for the students. It was the most important thing. We realized we could compete with any team."
