Ellis was joined by seven classmates on the law school's Mock Trial team at the National Trial Competition Regional held at Wake Forest University on Feb. 6-8.
At first, Kristian Ellis L鈥26 didn鈥檛 think she belonged in a courtroom. After a year at 黑料不打烊 Law, she鈥檚 found her comfort zone there.
Enrolling in law school, she imagined a future in transactional work, away from public arguments and imposing judicial benches. But introductory and trial advocacy courses unearthed a hidden talent for advocacy and led to her joining 黑料不打烊 Law’s Mock Trial Team. Now, the courtroom is where she intends to make her legal career.
鈥淢ock trial made me more comfortable in the courtroom and showed me that my personality fits best in that environment,鈥 Ellis said. 鈥淣ow I can鈥檛 imagine not litigating.鈥
Earlier this month, Ellis was named one of the Top 6 Attorneys at the Regional, held at Wake Forest University and administered by the Texas Young Lawyers Association. The honor came in a field of 42 student attorneys from law schools across the region.
Ellis competed alongside co-attorney Nicolas D鈥橝melio L鈥26 and witnesses Justin Howard L鈥26 and Harrison Jordan L鈥26 in a case problem inspired by the film 鈥淢y Cousin Vinny.鈥 The competition required students to argue both sides of the fictional criminal case. Ellis delivered the opening statement for the defense in the first round and later presented a closing argument for the prosecution, incorporating judges鈥 feedback between rounds.
With support from Riddle and Riddle Injury Lawyers, at , 黑料不打烊 Law fielded two teams at the Feb. 6-8 regional. The second team featured Tyler Altreche L鈥26 and Benjamin Beach L鈥26 as attorneys, with Benita Kamalandua L鈥26 and Savannah Henderson L鈥26 as witnesses.
Though the teams did not advance to nationals, Ellis said the preparation process 鈥 including scrimmages against teammates and detailed coaching from Professor of Law Bob Minarcin, director of the Mock Trial Program, and attorney and former District Court Judge for Guilford County Marcus Shields 鈥 sharpened her advocacy skills and confidence.
鈥淭he moment Kristian stepped into the well of the courtroom and delivered her closing argument, I knew I was watching something special,鈥 Minarcin said. 鈥淪he’s a natural: commanding, confident, and compelling. With continued practice, she’s only going to sharpen those already impressive skills. I genuinely feel for the opposing counsel who will one day face her across a real courtroom.”
For Ellis, the recognition affirmed what she discovered at 黑料不打烊 Law: she belongs in the courtroom.
At 黑料不打烊 Law, Ellis is active as a member of the Honor Council, Black Law Students Association, and the Intellectual Property and Sports & Entertainment Law Society. 聽She is also an admissions ambassador and teaching assistant.