FAU Wins Inaugural Stocker Foundation Mock Trial Tournament

Florida Atlantic University secured two of the top three finishes - including first place - at the recent inaugural Susan Stocker Foundation Mock Trial Tournament.

Florida Atlantic University secured two of the top three finishes - including first place - at the recent inaugural Susan Stocker Foundation Mock Trial Tournament. FAU Team 3 earned the tournament's top honor, while FAU Team 2 claimed a strong third-place finish.

FAU's Mock Trial program, housed within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, is led by advisors Frank de la Torre and Joel Feldman. FAU served as host of the event, which was made up of 12 other teams including University of Florida, Florida International University, Florida State University and Texas Tech University.

FAU Team 3 defeated Florida State, 87-86, to win the tournament, while FAU Team 2 defeated the University of Florida, 89-86, to place third. Members of Team 3 were captain Skylar Miller, Maya Rogalski, Evan Paggi and Arish Dotiwala. Team captain Adriana Iacono, Jagger Weitzen, Sydney Goldstein Rivera and David Niewinski made up Team 2.

Additional awards recognized excellence in advocacy and performance, including "Best Prosecutor," "Best Defense Counsel" and outstanding witness awards. "Best Witness" was awarded to Riya Dusara, who was part of FAU Team 4.

"The inaugural Susan Stocker Foundation Mock Trial Tournament exemplifies our college's commitment to high-impact, experiential learning," said Naelys Luna, Ph.D., dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. "By bringing together students, faculty, legal professionals and philanthropic partners, this tournament created an exceptional educational experience while elevating FAU's leadership in mock trial advocacy. The sky is the limit."

The Stocker Family Charitable Foundation served as the exclusive visionary partner sponsor of the competition. This transformational investment celebrates the legacy of Susan Stocker, a respected CPA whose career embodied integrity, precision, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to excellence - values that mirror the discipline and rigor required of trial advocacy and legal practice.

The tournament concluded with an awards luncheon attended by FAU President Adam Hasner and First Lady Jillian Hasner, as well as State Attorney Alexcia Cox. Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP supported the tournament awards and luncheon.

"When we started the FAU Mock Trial program just a few years ago, our goal was to give students meaningful, hands-on courtroom experience," said de la Torre. "Seeing our students host and excel at a tournament of this magnitude is incredibly rewarding and a testament to their hard work and commitment."

For more information about the club, visit here or email [email protected].

-FAU-