March 5, 2020

Related Professionals: Rebecca Johnson Barksdale , Peter St. Tienne Wolff

Each year, the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) hosts one of the largest mock trial competitions in the nation. The PBA/YLD Mock Trial Competition gives more than 300 high school student teams from across the state the opportunity to act as lawyers and witnesses in simulated civil and criminal trials before actual judges and panels of juries. The competition takes place over several months and is led by volunteer attorneys who assist students as team advisors, scorekeepers, regional coordinators and judges.

Pietragallo Partner Peter S. Wolff and Associates Fino Caliguire and Rebecca Johnson volunteered as judges during the 2020 District Play-Offs portion of the competition. “The level of talent demonstrated by the teams was amazing,” said, Peter S. Wolff. Mr. Caliguire commented, “Rebecca and I both were expecting great performances knowing that this was the final round of the competition. Even so, we were both blown away by the preparedness and professionalism of the high school competitors. Not only were their speeches and direct examinations smooth and well-rehearsed, their ability to adapt on cross examination and improvise in portions of their closings was incredible for students their age.  I would not be surprised to run into some familiar faces from the competition in a courtroom 7 or 8 years down the road.”

The Firm extends its congratulation to Eden Christian Academy who secured the most points and who will proceed onto the next level of the competition, the regional playoffs.

For more information about the PBA/YLD Mock Trial Competition, we invite you to visit the PBA website.

For more information about any of our attorneys, we invite you to visit Our Team page.