Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Moot

Course Credits:   non-credit
Team consists of:

• Coach
• 4 Competitors

The Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) was founded in 1991 in response to an overwhelming need in Ontario for an organization of lawyers acting for Plaintiffs. OTLA has over 1000 members and is comprised of plaintiffs' lawyers from Ontario, out-of-province Members from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, along with the United States. OTLA also has a strong core of law clerks, articling students and law students.
Members of OTLA are dedicated to the preservation and improvement of a civil justice system which is equally accessible to all and which fully and fairly protects the rights of those who have suffered losses as a result of the wrongdoing of others.
The competition involves the trial of a civil action and features opening and closing arguments, examination-in-chief and cross-examination of witnesses. The location alternates between Queen's University, University of Ottawa, University of Western Ontario, University of Windsor. The team is comprised fo two counsel and two witnesses. [Witnesses must memorize their part and are crucial to the competition, thus travel, accommodation and meal expenses are, within reason, covered by the OTLA]

Windsor Law Successes:

• 2011-2012  - Matthew Giannotti won Best Opening

• 2012 - 2013 - Melissa Novis won the H. Bruce T. Hillyer Award for Best Closing