On Wednesday, February 8, MAY’s mock trial team began the 2012 Statewide Mock Trial Tournament with an exciting win over Jericho High School. Earlier in the week, after months of training and practice, the Legal Eagles concluded their preparations with a visit from criminal defense attorney Sam Braverman, who offered valuable instructive comments, and New York State Supreme Court Justice Richard Lee Price, who presided over their dress rehearsal. Their coaching assistance paid off as the defense team performed admirably in their first victory, to the delight of their many supporters. This year, the team intends to surpass last year’s semi-final accomplishment and regain the Nassau County championship title that the Legal Eagles had held in the past.
A tremendous yasher koach goes to lawyers Zvi Allman, Ari Halpern, and Gavriel Sturm for demonstrating excellent strategy and sound trial practice skills. Witnesses Yechiel Kirschner, Chaim Shulman, and Yitzy Weiss testified magnificently and flawlessly, which was noted by the trial judge. The entire team represented MAY impeccably well, demonstrating outstanding poise and professionalism. Congratulations to them, and much hatzlachah to the prosecution team in next week’s trial against Floral Park High School. The Legal Eagles are coached by attorney-advisor and MAY board member David Kirschner, a judicial law clerk and former assistant district attorney. He is assisted by Rabbi Shmuel Oratz and alumnus Ari Glatt. Mr. Kirschner dedicates an amazing amount of his valuable time to direct the team in the nuances of the case while, perhaps more importantly, leading by example to demonstrate commitment, professionalism, and menschlichkeit.
With their first competition of the season, the Mesivta Ateres Yaakov Legal Eagles Mock Trial Team has entered the final phase of their strenuous training regimen. This year’s case, The People of the State of New York v. P.J. Long, involves a felony assault that takes place in Queens. It is an interesting and challenging case since it lacks an identification of the perpetrator, and instead relies on several pieces of circumstantial evidence. The tournament consists of 45 teams from public, private, and parochial schools throughout Nassau County. Each school is permitted to enter only one team but is required to switch sides in each round of the competition.