Sher, Cummings and Ellis Attorneys and Staff Volunteer at John L. Costello Trial Competition

Sher, Cummings and Ellis attorneys and staff volunteered for two days at the John L. Costello National Criminal Law Trial Advocacy Competition, serving as judges, witnesses, and bailiffs. Participating were Mark Cummings, Kristen Kanaskie, Megan Pfeifle, Grant Gordon, our spring extern, Brittany Ripper, and our former legal assistant, Blake McKelvey.

The John L. Costello National Criminal Law Trial Advocacy Competition is a competition designed by retired Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Jonathan Thacher. This competition allows law schools to send a team of their students into the Fairfax courtrooms for a simulated criminal trial, testing their advocacy skills. This year’s competition had up to 16 simultaneous mock trials taking place, and saw over 200 volunteers to help make the competition happen. At the conclusion of four days, the University of Pennsylvania law students were declared the winners.

You can learn more about the competition here.

Below is a photo of Grant, Brittany and Megan, and one of Mark as a trial judge. We’re proud of our volunteers, and had lots of fun!