The Rutgers University Mock Trial Association (RUMTA) A team took 4th place at this past weekend’s Columbia University Big Apple Invitational XVIIl on January 18-19. This was their last competition of the 2019-2020 season before getting ready and prepared for regionals. A-Team Captain, Zoe Chang received 18 ranks as an outstanding attorney. Fellow A-Team member Sunzida Ahmed received 17 ranks as an outstanding witness.
From left to right: Sunzida Ahmed, Emmett Laurie, Aabha Joshi, Zoe Chang, Lucy Huang, Shivangi Patel, Alice Militaru, Humayoon Hashmi
RUMTA’s A team had a record of 6-2 at CUBAIT this past weekend.They went up against competitive schools including Fordham Rose Hill, South Carolina, Indiana University, and Yale. A-Team Captain Zoe Chang, said, “Our team has demonstrated that we can adapt and succeed despite unexpected obstacles. We are in a good place going into Regionals”. Head Coach Michael Roberts, Esq. said, “I’m very proud of Rutgers’ A-Team’s performance this past weekend. We are working hard to prepare for Regionals”.
In the competition RUMTA argued State of Midlands v. Jordan Ryder, a criminal case pursuing an involuntary manslaughter or aggravated murder charge, involving a parent accused of the death of their daughter. All three of RUMTA’s teams will continue to prep for the national intercollegiate competition taking place in February 2020. In 2012, Rutgers A-Team finished number two in the nation out of 650 teams and in 2018 Rutgers A-Team finished fifteenth in the nation out of 650 teams. The goal this year is to go to the National Championship Tournament and capture the top spot.
RUMTA thanks Head Coach Michael Roberts of Roberts & Teeter, and Assistant Coaches Bren Simonson, Esq. and Caroline Bielak, Esq. RUMTA is sponsored by Middlesex County Bar Foundation and the Rutgers Alumni Association.