Coached by Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney Eric Schwartzreich and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Gilfarb, the American Heritage School (Plantation) Mock Team placed first during the 11th Annual Empire Mock Trial World Championship in New York, according to program director Nikki Laurie Van Allen late Thursday.

“Winning the EMPIRE NY has been our goal since starting the honors legal studies program,” American Heritage program director Nikki Laurie Van Allen told South Florida Reporter. “It’s a steep mountain to climb, but our amazing students succeeded through hard work and a determination in themselves.”

The New York Empire Mock Trial World Championship is one of the largest mock competitions in the world when it comes to mock trial. American Heritage Mock Trial spent almost 5 months in preparation for the competition.

“These kids have demonstrated a level of maturity and understanding of the law and evidence that allow them to present a case of some complexity. This was critical to their win,” coach Michael Gilfarb told South Florida Reporter.

Advancing over almost 50 teams from the United States, Ireland, Britain, Australia, South Korea and other countries, American Heritage examined the real-life story of Kalief Browder – a teenager who was systematically tormented by both gangs and prison guards inside New York’s infamous Rikers Island. Browder was arrested in 2010, at age sixteen, for a robbery he insisted he didn’t commit. Having spent more than two years in solitary confinement during his incarceration, Browder attempted suicide several times.

Argued in the United States Courthouse in Manhattan, New York, the “fictional” case took influence from real life with politics and supreme court cases influencing trial strategy. Prosecution and defense teams presented both sides of the case, calling witnesses that included an expert in the field of psychology and psychiatry, a prison guard, along with a parent and friend of the victim.

Student lawyers from American Heritage included Nic Sweet, Skyler Schwartzreich, Emily Irigoyen, Chase Freeman, Talha Pala, Annabella Lugo and Kamilla Knyazeva. Witnesses included Michelle Zapata, Paris Brock, Talha Pala, Arturo Gonzalez and Chase Freeman. Nic Sweet was recognized as the best overall attorney, while Arturo Gonzalez was recognized as best guest witness. Attorney Mila Schwartzreich accompanied the students to New York.

Beating out Roman Catholic in the final round to become World Champs, the American Heritage Patriots conducted opening and closing statements and performed direct as well as cross examinations.

“Participating in the mock trial program at American Heritage has impacted my life,” student lawyer Skyler Schwartzreich told South Florida Reporter. “The bond I’ve created with my coaches and fellow teammates is for eternity. The confidence and conviction this experience enables me to exert is second to none.”

“Mock trial has allowed me not only the opportunity to learn how to speak and act in a real courtroom, but has also created a forum where high schoolers can project their ideas through a professional medium,” student lawyer Chase Freeman told South Florida Reporter.

In June of 2015, Browder hanged himself with an air conditioning cord, having suffered from depression and flashbacks from his imprisonment. His painful story caught the attention of many – including media mogul Jay Z – who collaborated with Harvey Weinstein and The Weinstein Company to produce the compelling six-part documentary “The Kalief Browder Story.”

“The mock trial experience has allowed me to work hands-on with real criminal defense attorneys and federal prosecutors,” offered American Heritage student Nicolas Sweet. “An invaluable learning experience which I will never forget.”

“It’s an inspiration to prepare these young students to become part of a profession I love,” criminal defense attorney Eric Schwartzreich told South Florida Reporter. “To coach this mock trial team to a world championship is a dream come true. These high school kids are the future of our profession.”

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