Ohio University Mock Trial Team Begins 12th Season with 26 Student Advocates

As the Ohio University Mock Trial Team enters its 12th season, 26 new and returning members are preparing to compete against some of the nation’s top collegiate advocacy programs. Through simulated courtroom competitions, team members develop the critical thinking, public speaking and trial advocacy skills used by practicing attorneys while representing witnesses and litigants in complex legal cases.  

"Ohio University Mock Trial provides students with an opportunity to develop courtroom advocacy skills, think critically under pressure and work collaboratively as part of a high-performing team," said Larry Hayman, Esq., head coach of the team. "This year's roster reflects an impressive combination of talent, commitment and potential. I am proud of every student who participated in tryouts and look forward to watching this team grow, compete and represent Ohio University throughout the season."

The OHIO Mock Trial Team is a selective and competitive experiential learning opportunity open to all majors and affiliated with the Center for Law, Justice & Culture, or CLJC. OHIO Mock Trial competes in the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) that includes over 700 other teams from around 350 colleges and universities across the country.

The AMTA case for the 2026-2027 college mock trial season in a civil corporate negligence lawsuit captioned Ali Alekri v. MG&E Gas and Electric. The case centers on a wildfire which resulted in the deaths of 12 people when a utility pole was struck by a driver. The victims, represented by plaintiff Ali Alekri, are suing the utility provider, MG&E, claiming that the company is responsible for the catastrophe by reason of negligence.

The team welcomes attorney Charles Cohara this year as the new assistant coach. Cohara brings more than two decades of legal practice and extensive mock trial coaching experience to the program, providing students with mentorship from a seasoned trial advocate dedicated to public service and access to justice.

“I am excited to support Ohio University’s Mock Trial students. Mock Trial was the best preparation I received as an undergraduate, and trial advocacy has remained my favorite part of practicing law,” Cohara said.

A graduate of Miami University, where he spent four years in mock trial, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Cohara is a dedicated attorney and volunteer in the local community. For decades, Cohara has remained involved by volunteering with mock trial programs at the elementary, high school and collegiate levels, and volunteering with the local Southern Ohio Copperheads.

"Each new member brings something special to this team, and I am so excited to see how they will grow throughout the year,” said Raegan Elliot, President of the OU Mock Trial Team. “Everyone brought so much energy and passion into our first practice, and I can just tell that this is going to be a successful, exciting, and competitive season for OU Mock Trial!" 

The 2026-2027 team members are:

• Raegan Elliott, senior political science pre-law and environmental biology major and president
• James Cox, senior political science major and vice-president
• Noah Kiel, junior political science pre-law major and treasurer
• Maahi Patel, senior international business pre-law major and communications liaison
• Luke Viviano, sophomore journalism major and new member coordinator
• Nathan Gollings, senior political science pre-law major
• Mason Shawkey, junior political science pre-law major
• Hayden Lewis, junior political science pre-law major
• Dulce Miranda, junior business pre-law major
• Mallory Kaminski, junior psychology major
• Corey Adams, junior English pre-law major
• Piper Cunningham, junior sociology pre-law major
• Gabriella Pelton-Blewitt, junior political science pre-law major
• Spencer Boakye, junior political science pre-law major
• Queen Hillary Kwegyir-Aggrey, junior sociology pre-law major
• Sara Kraus, sophomore political science pre-law major
• Jimmy Green, sophomore political science pre-law major
• Marshall Smittle, sophomore history major
• Kylie Delfosse, sophomore environmental pre-law major
• Emerson Anderson-Feils, sophomore philosophy major
• Morgan Thomas, junior sociology pre-law major
• Riley Holbrooks, sophomore business pre-law major
• Joselyn Duff, freshman journalism major
• Emma Hull, sophomore sociology-criminology and strategic leadership and management major
• Laini Muterspaw, junior political science and sociology-criminology major
• Grace Sheppard, sophomore history pre-law and acting major

The team opened its competitive season at the Boilermaker Brawl Invitational October 2-3, 2026, hosted by Purdue University. The tournament provided Ohio University's newest competitors with their first opportunity to test their skills against some of the region's strongest programs.