First-Year Paralegal Studies Students Gain Hands-On Trial Advocacy Experience Under Expert Guidance

HLOs:

First-year students in the Bachelor of Paralegal Studies program put their legal skills to the test in a dynamic mock trial exercise, guided by Professor Tricia Hannigan, an experienced Insurance Litigation Lawyer. Drawing from her extensive background representing both plaintiffs and defendants, Professor Hannigan led students through a two-part Small Claims Court course designed to provide practical, hands-on advocacy training.

During the Winter semester, students were divided into plaintiff and defendant teams, each taking on key courtroom roles. Participants delivered opening and closing arguments, conducted direct and cross-examinations, and served as witnesses, all within the framework of a Small Claims Court hearing. This immersive learning experience helped students strengthen their critical thinking, collaboration, communication, professionalism, and leadership—core competencies of the Humber Learning Outcomes (HLOs).

The case at hand involved a personal injury claim stemming from an accident on private property marked with "No Trespassing" signs. The dispute required students to apply legal principles from the Occupiers' Liability Act and the Negligence Act to argue their positions effectively. Among the participants were Judith Vanessa Akello, Cayley Johnston, Sara Matthews, Vir Rohera, and Emily Shea on the plaintiff team, while the defendant team included Tyson Carroll, Rhea Guevara, Maryam Korial, Jennifer Diana Mora, and Mia Papazian. Notably, both Vir Rohera and Mia Papazian also competed in the 2025 Osgoode Cup National Undergraduate Mooting Competition.

Professor Hannigan praised the students' dedication and performance, highlighting their ability to navigate complex legal arguments with confidence and professionalism. Building on this success, she plans to introduce a similar advocacy experience in her second-year Tribunal Practices and Procedure course, further preparing students for real-world legal practice.

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