Trial Team Coaches
Professor Jerome E. Deise is the Faculty Adviser to the Trial Team. The former Chief Attorney of the Capital Crimes Division for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Prof. Deise has been a member of the faculty since 1991. He directs the Federal & State Criminal Defense Clinic and teaches trial advocacy, advanced trial advocacy, evidence, trial evidence, criminal law and comparative professional responsibility (Aberdeen, Scotland). Since Prof. Deise became its director in 2000, the National Trial Team has enjoyed much success, including winning the 2006 NITA Tournament of Champions Competition. Prof. Deise was elected Law School Teacher of the Year in 1998 and was the 2004 national award winning recipient of the Richard S. Jacobson Award for Excellence in Teaching Trial Advocacy, presented by the Roscoe Pound Institute.
AJ Bellido de Luna is the "Head Coach" of the Trial Team. A 2004 alumni of the law school and the trial team, Mr. Bellido de Luna is the Managing Director of the school's Clinical Law Program. He helps prepare the teams for competition and travels with the team, providing support and coaching during the hectic competitions.
During Mr. Bellido de Luna's tenure on the team, he was appointed as the Trial Team Captain and competed successfully. Along with his teammates, Mr. Bellido de Luna won and ranked #1 at the William W. Daniel National Invitation Mock Trial Competition in Atlanta, Ga., he competed and won the ACTL (NTC) Regional Competition to advance to the National Competition in Houston, Texas where his team advanced to the Quarter Finals. Also during his tenure on the team, the school finished in 4th place and National 4th place ranking in NITA's Tournament of Champions! in Akron, Ohio; Second place finish in the ATLA Regional Competition in Washington, D.C. Garnered 5th place National ranking. Competed in the ABA's National Trial Competition in Chicago, IL after advancing from their Regional victory at Quinnipiac Law School Competition in New Haven, Connecticut. Upon graduation, Mr. Bellido de Luna was inducted into the Order of the Barrister.
Jessica Butkera is a 2007 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law. Ms. Butkera was a member of the winning team at the 2006 NITA Tournament of Champions, the premier trial advocacy competition in the nation, earning the school a first place national ranking. She also competed in the 2006 AAJ National Student Trial Advocacy Competition and the 2007 National Ethics Competition, and was a student coach for the 2007 ACTL National Trial Competition. Ms. Butkera is also a published author in and was an Associate Editor of the Maryland Law Review, as well as a member of Phi Delta Phi. Upon graduation, she was the recipient of the Law, Litigation and Advocacy Award. After law school, Ms. Butkera clerked for the Honorable Audrey J.S. Carrion in Baltimore City Circuit Court before joining Chason, Rosner, Leary & Marshall, LLC as a trial attorney in 2008.
Julia Carolan is a 2006 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, where she was the co-captain of the National Trial Team, Associate Editor on the Journal of Health Care Law and Policy, a member of Phi Delta Phi, and inducted into the Order of Barristers. During Ms. Carolan's tenure on the team, she advanced to the semifinal round in the 2005 regional ATLA Student Trial Advocacy Tournament, captured second place in the Quinnipiac University Northeast Regional Trial Advocacy Competition, and won the 2006 regional ATLA Student Trial Advocacy Competition. After law school, Ms. Carolan clerked for the Honorable Gale E. Rasin in the Circuit Court of Baltimore City. In addition to volunteering as a coach for the National Trial Team, Ms. Carolan is an associate at Astrachan Gunst Thomas, where she practices general civil litigation in the areas of employment law, media law, constitutional law, trademark and copyright law, petroleum distribution, antitrust and franchise law, commercial law, and contract disputes.
Marnell Cooper is a 2002 graduate of the law school and the founder of Marnell A. Cooper, P.C. He has represented individuals and small businesses successfully in several jurisdictions within Maryland and in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. While attending the University of Maryland School of Law, Mr. Cooper was a regional champion member of the National Trial Team and a member of the Moot Court Board. At graduation, he was inducted into the Order of Barristers. Mr. Cooper currently volunteers his time assisting Professor Deise in preparing the National Trial Team for its fall and spring competitions.
Peter M. Nothstein is a 2005 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, where he was captain of the National Trial Team, Notes & Comments Editor on the Maryland Law Review, and a teaching assistant for Trial Evidence. Upon graduation, Mr. Nothstein was inducted into the Order of Barristers and Order of the Coif. During his tenure on the team, Mr. Nothstein participated in the 2004 regional ATLA Student Trial Advocacy Competition and advanced to the semifinals at the 2005 NITA Tournament of Champions in Los Angeles, CA. After law school, Mr. Nothstein clerked for the Honorable Marvin J. Garbis at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, worked as associate in the litigation department at Zuckerman Spaeder, LLP, served as a legal writing adjunct professor at the law school, and volunteers as a coach for the National Trial Team. Mr. Nothstein is currently an Assistant U.S. Attorney with the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland.
Scott Richman is a 2007 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, where he was the only student in the school to be selected for the National Trial Team, Moot Court Board, and Maryland Law Review. During Mr. Richman's tenure as captain of the National Trial Team, the team placed first and second in the ACTL Regional Trial Competition, first in the ATLA Regional Student Trial Advocacy Competition, third in the National Civil Trial Competition (NCTC), and first in the NITA Tournament of Champions, with Mr. Richman personally competing on the winning ACTL and NCTC teams. After graduating with honors, Mr. Richman clerked for the Honorable Althea M. Handy in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Mr. Richman is now an assistant state's attorney in the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office.
Rachel Simmons is a 2007 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law. Ms. Simmons was a member of the winning team at the 2006 NITA Tournament of Champions, the premier trial advocacy competition in the nation, where she won Best Oral Advocate in the final round and helped garner a first place national ranking for the team. She was also a regional winner and national finalist in the 2006 ACTL National Trial Competition, as well as a regional winner and national quarterfinalist in the 2007 AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition. Upon graduation, Ms. Simmons was inducted into the Order of Barristers, and thereafter served as a law clerk for the Honorable Emory A. Plitt in the Circuit Court of Harford County. Ms. Simmons is now an associate in the litigation department of Gessner, Snee, Mahoney & Lutche, P.A., in Bel Air, Maryland, and volunteers her time to help the National Trial Team develop trial advocacy skills and prepare for competitions.
Ramsay M. Whitworth is a 1999 graduate of University of Maryland School of Law, where he was a member of the National Trial Team and Moot Court Board, and was awarded the ACTL Medal for Excellence in Advocacy and inducted into the Order of Barristers. Mr. Whitworth now coaches and prepares the team for its various competitions. During Mr. Whitworth's tenure on the Trial Team, the school won both the ACTL and ATLA regional competitions and was a quarterfinalist in the ACTL National Trial Competition in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Whitworth is now a partner in the litigation department of Gebhardt & Smith, LLP, and his practice areas include commercial litigation, construction litigation, creditors rights and general business representation.
