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UH mock trial team wins national title

Cougar News Services

The UH Law Center's mock trial team took first place in the 2004 National Trial Competition, held Saturday in Austin.

It is the first time a UH law team has won the prestigious trial contest, which involves more than 1,000 students from 100 law schools across the country.

"This victory is the result of the hard work of many people who have played a positive role in this program during the last 14 years," the team's coach, Jacqueline Houlette, said in a release. 

Houlette is a 1993 Law Center graduate who is now a partner at Beirne, Maynard & Parsons.

The UH team -- Michelle Benavides, Eddie Berbarie and Julie Gray -- beat 25 regional winners mock trying a wrongful death case involving an auto accident and allegations of drunk driving.

The National Trial Competition began in 1975 and was designed to expose students to trial practice.

The program is sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers.

UH's mock trial team has been to the championship rounds of the NTC seven times in the past 10 years. The team reached the finals in 1997, but lost to Northwestern University.
 

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