TRIAL COMPETITION WINNERS—From left: Finn Skovdal, Christy Gamble, John Woodruff and Danielle Wete.

Duquesne University Black law students Finn Skovdal, Christy Gamble, John Woodruff and Danielle Wete banded together as a formidable trial team to top 15 other trial teams from universities from across the northeast United States and claim first place in the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Team Regional Competition. Additionally, Christy Gamble (2nd from left), beat out more than 60 student prosecution and defense attorneys to win the award for “Best Advocacy” during the competition.
The competition occurs annually during the Mid-Atlantic Black Law Students Association Convention that was held in Pittsburgh at the Omni William Penn this year.
On the last day of the competition, two teams survived elimination and were left to make final arguments before actual Court of Common Pleas judges. Duquesne University prevailed over the Howard University trial team. This accomplishment came under the expert tutelage of trial coaches Lisa Barnett, Esq. (Dickie McCamey) and Brock McCandless, Esq. (Buchanan Ingersoll), both alumni of the law school and members of the Duquesne Law team that won the 2008 National Tournament of Champions Trial Advocacy Competition.
Skovdal, Gamble, Woodruff and Wete are all currently third year law students, completing their final semester of studies with anticipated graduation in May. While they were brought together and worked together to accomplish this legal victory, they hail from diverse backgrounds of interest:
Finn Skovdal—Conwell-Egan High School (Philadelphia) and University of Pittsburgh. Interned for Criminal Court Judge Joseph K. Williams. Writes blog on Criminal Law issues.
Christy Gamble—N.C. State grad with degree in Microbiology/Chemistry. Editor-in-chief of Duquesne Environmental Health Law Journal; works with Hill District minority high school students thru Kassi Leadership Program.
John Woodruff II—North Allegheny High School and attended West Virginia University. 2nd Lieutenant U.S. Marines; Interned for U.S. Attorneys Office, National Security; is the son of Judge Dwayne D. Woodruff.
Danielle Wete—St. Vincent Pallotti High School (Maryland) and alumni of Colgate University. Was captain of college cheerleading squad. Served as Student Legal Intern for the UPMC Cardiovascular Institute.