The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Moot Court Board of Advocates held the tenth annual Ernie Goodman Mock Trial Tournament on November 16 – 20, 2012. This internal competition for UDM Law students is named in honor of Ernie Goodman, a celebrated Detroit civil rights attorney. Mr. Goodman was a champion for civil rights causes during his nearly 70 years in the practice of law. In the 1930s, Mr. Goodman was instrumental in defending labor actions, representing sit-down strikers at Ford Motor Co., and in the 1940s he served as General Counsel for the United Auto Workers. He was a founding member of the Detroit law firm of Goodman, Eden, Millender & Bedrosian, which was the first interracial law firm in the country.

The two teams that advanced to the final round were Issa Karamo / Benjamin Dacin and Michael Glynne / Scott Sierzenga. Professor Gary Maveal and UDM Law alumni Monica Rossi and Jim Waldvogel judged the final round. After a tremendous round by both teams, Michael Glynne and Scott Sierzenga were victorious. Michael Glynne won the Best Oralist award for the competition, and the team of Allissa Wu and Timothy Gindi won the Best Trial Notebook award.

Congratulations to Professor Joon Sung for his administration of this tournament. Professor Sung wrote a very strong competition problem, taught workshops, graded trial notebooks, and worked closely with the Moot Court Board to run a successful tournament. Running an internal trial competition is no small feat, and Prof. Sung did a spectacular job.

Congratulations also to Executive Board member Daniel Bonucchi for his leadership in providing the necessary assistance to Prof. Sung and the student competitors. Dan was assisted closely by Anna Valk and Ivonne Soler, both Associate Directors of the Board. Together, these students did a remarkable job doing everything necessary for the tournament to run smoothly.

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