UF Trial Team Wins Title in St. John’s University National Civil Rights Trial Competition

November 14, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla.— The University of Florida Trial Team brought home a national title at the St. John’s University National Civil Rights Trial Competition in Jamaica, N.Y.

After an intense three-day competition on Oct. 18-20, team members and third-year law students Jessica Anderson, Frank Gaulden, Alicia Philip and Justin Stevens defeated 15 teams from across the country including Pace University, Arizona State University, and Emory University.

The civil rights case concerned a student who accused his college of violating his due process and free speech rights after he was sanctioned for harassing a college dorm director.

Gaulden and Stevens presented the plaintiff’s case and defeated Temple University in the semifinals. Anderson and Philip presented the defense’s case and defeated Washburn University School of Law in the final round.

“We only had four weeks, but everyone worked extremely hard day in and day out, and in the end it all paid off. I’m so proud of the effort my teammates put in, and we couldn’t have done it without our coaches,” Philip said.

The team was coached by Stacy Scott, Esq. (JD 95), and the Honorable David Gersten (JD 75), chief judge of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal in Miami.