ORLANDO, Fla. – St. Thomas University College of Law won first place at the Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition on November 9, earning top honors among 16 teams from across the state and beyond. The Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation hosted its annual Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition on November 8–9 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.
The St. Thomas University College of Law team— Rhod Belizaire, Nadia Bernal, Juan Estevez, and Frances Lissabet—represented the plaintiff in the final round, securing a 3–2 verdict in their favor. The round was presided over by Judge Michael Takac of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Melody Blanco was recognized as the Final Round Best Advocate for her exceptional advocacy.
Thank you to all the schools for coming to the competition. If you are a returning school, we appreciate you returning for another year and supporting the program! If this was your first time, we hope your advocates enjoyed competition and the new setup at the hotel venue.
Law schools represented included:
- Barry University
- Lincoln Memorial University
- St. Thomas University College of Law
- Stetson University College of Law
- Florida State University
- University of Miami School of Law
- Nova Southeastern University
- Florida International University
- Jacksonville University College of Law
This competition would not have been possible without the dedication of more than 60 attorneys, paralegals, and judges who generously volunteered their time and expertise. We also extend our sincere thanks to this year’s co-chairs, Jamie Holland of Holland Law and Monica B. Smyth of Todd E. Copeland & Associates, P.A., for their leadership and commitment to making the event a success.
2025 Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition Sponsors
Firm Sponsors
Gold
Holland Law
Monica B. Smyth
The Patient’s Law Firm, P.A.
The Tinstman Law Firm
Todd Copeland & Associates
Walborsky, Bradley, & Fleming, PLLC
Silver
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley
Bronze
Rachael Flanagan
Christopher Shakib
Business Sponsors
Amplify
Client Legal Funding, A US Claims Company
EvenUp
Felipe Blanco, RBC Wealth Management
###
Honoring the Legacy of Wayne Hogan and Judge E. Earle Zehmer
The competition was founded by Jacksonville attorney Wayne Hogan, whose commitment to advancing legal education led him to donate $250,000 to support the mock trial program at his alma mater, Florida State University. Matched by the state’s Matching Gift Program,
the $375,000 endowment has funded trial competitions, provided student stipends, and supported travel—emphasizing the importance of hands-on courtroom experience in legal training.
A former president of both the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers and the FSU Law Alumni Association, Hogan hoped his contribution would inspire other alumni to give back, particularly as educational budgets continue to tighten. His gift also established the E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Trial Competition in honor of his late mentor, the esteemed Jacksonville judge E. Earle Zehmer. Beyond education, Hogan has demonstrated his commitment to community service by partnering with other firms to donate $10,000 to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid—underscoring his belief that access to strong legal support should be available to all.
Comments (0)