Tampa attorneys Rob Blank and Dick Caldwell joined more than 125 attorneys to volunteer as jurors to judge the 2020 Chester Bedell Memorial Mock Trial Competition January 22-24, 2020 in Tampa. The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section hosts the annual event, now in its 38th year, and invites students from every law school in the state to compete.

This year, 16 teams from eight law schools competed. Students from Stetson University College of Law won first place and the team from Barry University College of Law finished second.

The Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition strives to promote trial skills and courtroom advocacy in Florida. 

“I was very impressed with the skill and obvious dedication of all of the competition participants,” said Caldwell. “The ability to frame questions, and to think on one’s feet, are prime attributes of good trial lawyers. All of the students I observed demonstrated these characteristics, and had a thorough knowledge of the facts of the problem, and applicable case law. It’s good to know that law students are still working hard to become trial lawyers,” he continued.