CSU Law’s Mock Trial Team Competes in 2025 Case Classic Competition

By: Victoria Szep

  On November 7th and 8th, the Cleveland State University College of Law’s Mock Trial Team had the opportunity to litigate and compete in the Cuyahoga County Justice Center for the annual Case Classic Competition.  

  After months of preparation, the team competed in six rounds against teams from all across the country, including Harvard Law School and the University of Alabama School of Law. 

  Assistant Mock Trial Coach Jed Chedid explained that CSU’s style of presentation contributes to their successes.  

  “CSU’s style and presence focuses on the art of accurate delivery and the art of accurately simplifying complex issues to make them understandable to a jury,” Mr. Chedid said. “Once we have the foundation of a full understanding of the facts, the law, the evidentiary issues, and the story we intend to tell the jury, we then move on to focusing on courtroom presence and demeanor.”  

  Team A consisted of Team Captain Victoria Szep, 3L; Alec Munster, 2L; Charles Volz, 3L; and Simon Skoutas, 2L. Team B consisted of Stacey Steggart, 2L; Sarah Nour, 2L; Jad Oglesby, 2L; and Dhara Patel, 2L.  

  The teams scored a victory on each day of the competition. On the first night, CSU’s Team A won a victory over Pittsburgh’s Mock Trial Team with Victoria Szep and Alec Munster as attorneys. Ms. Szep received a near-perfect score on her opening statement and direct examination, and Mr. Munster received a near-perfect score on his closing argument and cross examination.  

  On the second day, CSU’s Team B won a victory over Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law’s Mock Trial Team with students Stacey Steggert and Sarah Nour as attorneys.  

  Notably, Ms. Steggert demonstrated her knowledge of the case by performing a total of three impeachments by contradiction against her opponents, weakening the credibility of their team's witnesses. She also received near-perfect scores on the cross examination and closing argument. Ms. Nour received high scores on her opening statement and cross examination, as well.  

  During the second round, Charles Volz and Simon Skoutas competed as attorneys, and Mr. Volz received near-perfect scores during his direct examination, and one judge scored his closing argument perfectly. Mr. Skoutas also received high scores on his opening statement and cross examination.  

  Additionally, Mr. Oglesby and Ms. Patel faced off with Harvard Law School, and both team members scored very high and had multiple objections sustained.  

  Mr. Chedid said there is only more to come.  

  “The team will keep moving as it always does — with its eye on the next competition,” Chedid said.  

  We are so proud of our team and their hard work. We are looking forward to competing in the spring competition: American Association for Justice’s Mock Trial Competition. We will be traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and hope to dominate and represent “the Land.”