Akron Law Students Reflect on National Civil Trial Competition

The Greene Broillet & Wheeler National Civil Trial Competition (NCTC) is an invitational tournament open to all ABA-accredited law schools that have demonstrated excellence in mock trial competitions and/or demonstrated excellence in the training of law students in litigation skills. In fall 2023, Akron Law students Casey Ruppen ‘24, Josie Forney ’25, Emma Hall ‘24, and Alyssa Pijanowski ‘24, won a highly contested round against Cumberland School of Law to bring the championship back to Akron for the first time since 2007. The team was coached to the championship by attorneys David Oeschger ‘09 and John Conley ’08, who was on the winning NCTC team in 2007, as well as head coach Kevin Kita ‘11. We asked the students and alumni to tell us how they felt about their time on the Akron Law Trial Team as well as their win at NCTC.

Josie Forney, returning to Kohrman Jackson Krantz after the July bar exam, said, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete in the National Civil Trial Competition. I truly could not have asked for a better experience. As a team, we were always refining our materials and practicing together outside of our regular practice times. Our coaches provided unwavering support and invaluable guidance throughout the entire season. Competing in the final round of the NCTC and hearing the announcement of our victory is a moment I will forever cherish—without a doubt, one of the highlights of my life and my law school journey. This experience has shaped us all into stronger advocates, and again, we could not have done it without our coaches.”

The team poses with coaches John Conley ’08 (second from left) and David Oeschger ’09 (far right).

Emma Hall, returning to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office after the February bar exam, said, “Preparing for and winning NCTC was the single most formative part of law school for me. All of the coaches for Akron Law’s Trial Team put in countless hours of mentorship and coaching to help us be confident, not only when we walked into a competition but in our future careers as trial attorneys when we start practicing.”

Flying the trophy back to Akron Law, the team said people in the Los Angeles Airport would applaud them without knowing what they won.

Alyssa Pijanowski, associate attorney at Gallagher Sharp LLP, said, “I cannot even put into words the feeling of winning a national championship against the top trial advocacy team in the country. It would not have been possible without the dedication of our coaches and each member of the team. I will always remember the countless hours every weekend preparing and would not have wanted to do it with anyone else. My favorite part of the competition was that no two trials felt the same. Every team we competed against had its own style and we had to learn on our feet how to effectively combat them… and we could. We knew the case like the back of our hand, and it showed. I am truly grateful for what being a part of Akron’s Trial Team has done for me as a person and for my career. I would not be the advocate I am today without it.”

Casey Ruppen, associate attorney at Perantinides & Nolan, Co., L.P.A., said, “Outside of working, competing in Trial Team has better-prepared me to practice law than any other activity, class or seminar ever could. While I was competing, I was also working on average 20-30 hours a week, in addition to my course load. I was constantly juggling work, schoolwork and Trial Team. It was a challenge but looking back I would not change it. Not only was I, along with an incredibly talented team, able to win a national championship, but I have a better understanding of the time management necessary to practice law. Law school alone doesn’t do that.

(L-R) Josie Forney ‘25, Alyssa Pijanowski ’24, Emma Hall ’24, and Casey Ruppen ’24 pose with the NCTC trophy in Los Angeles.

The University of Akron’s School of Law Trial Team coaches are second to none. They spend their time to ensure that they are putting forward the best-prepared team they possibly can, all while coaching the teams to be better, well-rounded attorneys. It is an experience I would recommend to anyone, and especially to those interested in trial work.”

Congratulations again to this team and their coaches for bringing the NCTC 2023 national championship home to Akron Law!