From left, Brandon Meadows, Stephanie Koffler, Sarah Carpenter and Lauren Lewis won first place in the 2012 E. Earle Zehmer Mock Trial Competition Nov. 11 and 12 in Tampa.

UF Law Trial Team is the 2012 state champion. The University of Florida Levin College of Law Trial Team took home that distinction with its first place in the E. Earle Zehmer Mock Trial Competition Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 in Tampa.

The University of Florida Levin College of Law Trial Team took home first place in the 2012 E. Earle Zehmer Mock Trial Competition Nov. 11 and 12 in Tampa.

The competition, a premises liability suit, was sponsored by the Florida Justice Association and consisted of seven Florida law schools and 14 teams.

UF Law sent two teams, one of which earned first place. The winning team consisted of third-year law students Stephanie Koffler and Brandon Meadows as the plaintiff, and Sarah Carpenter and Lauren Lewis as defendant. The other UF team consisted of 3Ls Ebony Cobb, Andrick Lewis, Seth Green and Josh Wertheim. The trial team coaches Nick Zissimopulos, of Rush and Glassman, and Tania Alavi, of Alavi, Bird and Puzzuto traveled with the teams to offer support.

With a narrow victory over Florida State University College of Law in the semi-finals, UF advanced to the final round against Florida International University College of Law, where it won in what seemed to be an overwhelming victory. Along with the pride of winning a state championship, the UF team took home a $1,000 cash prize.

“We have a very talented group of advocates who were more prepared and focused than the competition, and this win is the result. The Trial Team has incredible support from UF, the coaches, and our advisor, Jennifer Zedalis, and we hope to stand in the winner’s circle again in the spring,” said Brandon Meadows, the trial team president.

It had been several years since UF has competed in this competition. Though they have no more competitions in the fall, they look forward to the spring when they will compete in Chester E. Beddell Memorial Competition, TYLA National Trial Competition, American Association for Justice Tournament and the South Texas Shootout.

“They worked very hard and practiced long hours, so this effort combined with sheer talent pushed them over the top,” Zedalis said. “I am so proud of them.”

Benjamin Baird and Zachary Jellson represented the state, and Stephanie Koffler and Katie Thomason represented the defendant, who was played by new Trial Team member Andrick Lewis. The other witnesses for the trial were played by new members Josh Wertheim, Lauren Lewis and Brandon Meadows.

The sponsoring law firm of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell rendered a verdict for the defense.

Based on the scores of the sponsoring law firm and the presiding judge, Judge Jonathan Gerber, the awards were determined: Katie Thomason and Stephanie Koffler were awarded Best Team and Katie Thomason was awarded Best Advocate.

Last week, the Trial Team sent 3Ls Alyssa Lunin, Gillian Sykes, Ashlie Tarpley and Tiana Beaudouin to the Peter James Johnson ’49 National Civil Rights Trial Competition at St. Johns University for a national trial competition.

Results were not available at time of publication.