Haub Law’s Trial Team Finishes Big at Hofstra’s 2023 National Medical-Legal Trial Competition

Congratulations to Haub Law’s trial team for finishing as semi-finalists at the 2023 Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell National Medical-Legal Trial Competition held October 6-8th. With 20 schools competing in this year's Competition, Haub Law placed in the top four teams of this competition. During the semi-final round, our defense team put on a phenomenal case, but ultimately lost to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who went on to win the entire competition. Hofstra’s Medical-Legal Trial Competition is the only trial competition in the country where a medical school and a law school collaborate to simulate real-life expert testimony by doctors.

Alexandra Stata (3L), Arianna Cruickshank(3L), and Katerina Balukas(2L) competed alongside their coaches Bianca Mayard Francois and Alexis Epstein. Alexandra Stata took on both sides of the trial, competing as the Plaintiff with Arianna Cruickshank, and the Defense with Katerina Balukas. “This is my second time competing in this competition and the preparation is extremely difficult,” said Alexandra Stata (3L). “Throughout the competition, you continue to learn things that you didn't originally consider with regard to the various medical conditions included in the problem at hand. This makes the competition even more exciting, but tremendously challenging. As challenging as this competition is, it is the closest simulation to real world trial experience you can get and is my favorite competition that I have competed in during my time with the advocacy program.”

Professor of Trial Practice and Director of Haub Law’s Advocacy Programs, Louis Fasulo, believes this competition to be “one of the most competitive mock trial competitions.” “The team advanced through the competition as a result of their great skill-set and solid grit,” said Professor Fasulo. “I am so proud of them for providing us with our best finish in this competition ever.”