La Verne Victory at Riverside DA Closing Argument Competition

Nine students from the University of La Verne College of Law participated in last weekend’s Summer Extern Closing Argument Competition, sponsored by the Riverside District Attorney’s office. The competition consisted of thirty-six law students from various law school from around the country, including U.C. Hastings, Berkley, University of San Diego, Pepperdine, Loyola, Chapman, Michigan State, University of Iowa, Virginia, Santa Clara, and the University of La Verne. According to the Riverside DA, this was the largest group of competitors to date.

The competition was one week in duration, with the rounds progressing in length as students moved on. Additionally, each new round involved new preparations, as students who moved on were given new charges, new demonstratives, and new police reports to incorporate. We are proud to announce that six La Verne students made it to the “Sweet Sixteen” round: Veronica Rivas Mittino, Khris Crumby, Desi Adeleke, Victoria Jackson, Kelsey Waters, and Ashley Bell. Four of our students made it all the way to the final eight (Veronica Rivas Mittino, Khris Crumby, Desi Adeleke, and Victoria Jackson) and two (Veronica Rivas Mittino and Victoria Jackson) to the Final Four. One, Ms. Veronica Rivas-Mittino, made it all the way to the final round. In the final round, Ms. Rivas-Mittino had to adjust her arguments to account for pre-trial exclusionary orders and craft a rebuttal on the spot. Nonetheless, she emerged victorious, taking first place in the championship round! This is the same competition in which Ms. Rivas-Mittino took second place last year. Congratulations to all of our students for an outstanding showing and a huge congrats to our champion – well done!

Thanks to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for the use of their photographs – and for hosting our students!