Posted on March 25, 2002 at 1:48 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — For the first time ever, two University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) teams have qualified to compete in the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) National Championship Competition, April 5-7, at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

One team qualified to compete for the national championship after winning second place at the AMTA Silver National Tournament held March 14-18 at Hamline University Law School in St. Paul, Minn. The team members included Asha Calhoun of Niceville, Fla.; Tom Duley of Ocala, Fla.; Antquan Hill of Inglenook; Sarah McCaffery of Linwood, N.J.; Constance Moore of Southside; Tiffany Omoregie of Ensley; Andrew Salser of Chelsea; Michael Simpson of Hueytown; and Leah A. Smith of Canyon County, Calif. Calhoun received the “Best Regional Attorney” award.

A second team qualified for the national competition earlier this year after placing second at the regional competition held February 15-17 at Samford University. The UAB team included Kigonia Alexander of Bessemer; Jennifer Davidson of Hoover; Arthur Daye of Antioch, Calif.; Jonathon Griffis of Mount Olive; Carolyn Lam of Arlington, Texas; James Leonard of Cahaba Heights; Miracle Smith of East Lake; and Lucy Jones of Huntsville. Jones was named “Best Regional Attorney.”

The American Mock Trial Association, established in 1985, is an undergraduate program designed to give students an opportunity to learn first hand about the work of trial attorneys, understand the judicial system, develop critical thinking and enhance their communication skills.