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Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Interdisciplinary Minor in Pre-law Studies

Interdisciplinary Minor in Organizational Leadership Studies

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News & Recent Activities

About St. Ambrose Mock Trial

St. Ambrose Univeristy began its mock trial program in 2003. We are very proud of the sucesses of our program and always welcome new members. The mock trial program is part of the pre-law program, but you do not have to be a pre-law student to join. You do not need to have previous mock trial experience, just an willingness to work hard, learn and enjoy the competition.

We compete in at least 3 invitational tournaments/year and than the AMTA Regional tournament which leads potentially to a bid to the national tournament. We compete against schools from across the country; at a given torunament, we might be cometing against smaller schools like St. Olaf or Luther College in one round and larger schools like Northwestern or the University of Iowa in the next. Out team has always met these competative challenges. We work hard. We compete hard. We learn and we have fun. Please feel free to contact Dr. Joseph Hebert in the Political Science Department of myself for more information.

Henry F. Marquard,J.D.                                                                           Coach St.Ambrose Mock Trial Team

MarquardHenryF@sau.edu

2010-2011 St. Ambrose Mock Trial Team Information

2010-2011 SAU Mock Trial Team Finishes Strong

"All's Well that Ends Well" is probably the best way to summarize this year's mock trial season. On Feb 3 and 4, the team competed at the AMTA Regional Tournament held on our campus. The team finished in the middle of the field narrowly missing a bid to Nationals including victories against Marquette and Loras. Two awards were won: co-captain Meena Brandt took home the "Top Attorney Award" a tremendous accomplishment. The team received the Spirit of AMTA award which is voted by the teams attending the tournament and given for sportsmanship and professionalism. The weekend before (Jan 28 and 29) the SAU team made a strong showing at the Loras College National Invitational Tournament. Both of these tournaments were very competitive and included teams from Northwestern University, DePaul University, Marquette University, University of Iowa, Iowa State, Loras College, Grinnell College and Central College. Once again our mock trial team competed in tournaments against some of top schools in the nation. Recent team alumni Kelsey Ward, Paul Barasel, Sarah Gorham Henry Marquard Jr. and Brea Weber returned to help at the tournament (some say that Brea's cookies were a help in winning the Spirit Award).

The 2010-2011 team was lead by co-captains Anna Grabow and Meena Brandt. Anna was the only student returning from last year's almost all senior team. Everyone else on the team was largely new to mock trial. Along with the captains, team members Kassandra McKown, Devon Ruiz, Will Shaw and Jack Moore formed the core of the team competing from the start of the season to the finish. Several other students: Jessica Pundt, Dominique Dickerson and Brandy Hoffman competed during parts of the season. Karalyn Jevaney from Augustana College joined us for the Regionals. The team is coached by attorney Henry Marquard and Dr. Joe Hebert serves as faculty advisor. In the next few weeks we'll be starting to prepare for next year.

SAU Competes at Cornell College and the University of Iowa 

 The St. Ambrose Mock Trial Team made its first appearance at Cornell College's tournament on October 30 and 31st. We faced teams from Rhodes College, Grinnell College, Cornell College and Creighton University. For many team members it was their first college level mock trial competition.

On November 13 and 14th, the Mock Trial Team made its first appearance at the University of Iowa Cornshucker Tournament in Iowa City.  In its tenth year, this tournament attracts teams from around the country including University of California-Berkley, Ohio State University, Northwestern University and The University of Illinois. St. Ambrose took on teams from Cornell College, University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Missouri-Kansas City and and Macallister College.

Second Annual Mock Trial Camp Held

The St. Ambrose Mock Trial program held its second annual mock trial program on June 22 and 23 on our campus. Students from area high schools worked with our faculty, team members and team alumni in improving their mock trial skills. The students then practiced their skills as attorneys and witnesses in a mock trial case. The students also met with local attorneys to learn more about law school and careers in law. We are already looking forward to next year's camp in June 2012.

2009-2010 St. Ambrose Mock Trial Team Information

2009-2010 Season Recap

Wow, I can't believe the season went by so quickly. In thinking about our efforts this year, I am reminded of the line by the late columnist Mike Royko that "in real life, most of the time Goliath beats David". We're often David in a room of Goliaths- and proud of it!  At our first tournament, we took home 5th place. In our last two tournaments we finished with a winning record- not bad considering that the winning teams in these tournaments included Loyola, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Iowa and Illinois State. Our 4-4 finish at AMTA's Regional competition left us one win short of going to Nationals. We were the 12th place team in the 26 team tournament facing competition from some of the best college mock trial  ithe midwest.  The Mock Trial team appreciates the strong support it is given by the university and in particular by the political science department; and as coach, I salute the fantastic effort put forth by our team members.

The 2009-10 team was captained by Sarah Gorham and Henry J. Marquard. Other team members were Bre Weber, Sarah Gard, Paul Barasel, Matt McClean, Christina Mendoza and Anna Grabow.

Coach Henry Marquard 

The 2009-2010 season is looking bright for the SAU Mock Trial Team.  In October, the team placed fifth at the Quincy Riverside Classic Mock Trial Invitational in Quincy, Illinois.  At the event, Matt McClean received an Outstanding Witness Award, and Sarah Gorham received an Outstanding Attorney Award.  In November, SAU Mock Trial journeyed to Northfield, Minnesota to compete in the Ole Open at St. Olaf College.  There, Anna    Grabow received an Outstanding Witness Award.  January will bring the National Invitational Tournament at Loras College in Dubuque.  St. Ambrose will then go on to host an American Mock Trial Association's Regional Tournament in February.  Muscatine Attorney Henry F. Marquard coaches the team, and this year's members include 

Henry J. Marquard, captain                                                                      Sarah Gorham, captain                                                                               Bre Weber                                                                                 

Paul Baresel

Matt McClean

Sarah Gard

Christina Mendoza

Anna Grabow

Defense Attorneys

Matt and Sarah with Their Awards at Quincy

Prosecution Attorneys

Sarah Gard on the Witness Stand

SAU Mock Trial at Quincy

Quincy Invitational 5th Place Finish

2006-2007 St. Ambrose Mock Trial Team Information

The Mock Trial Team goes to competition each year with a new fictitious legal case.The 2006-2007 Case was Jefferies v. Polk County Police Department.  Every other year the case rotates from a civil to a criminal case.  Jefferies v. Polk County was a civil case.  The team finished in March after an intense season and is already practicing for next year's criminal case!