The York Law Team finished their season on an incredibly high note with a 4th place finish at the state competition, which was a perfect send-off for a group of committed seniors who have been on the team for most of their high school career. The Law Team had been working on their trial throughout the school year, with many hours of practice on witness testimony, cross-examination, and other critical parts of a court case.

Taking place at the University of Illinois Law School, the state competition was fierce, with schools like Hinsdale South and Niles West all giving York’s team a tough challenge. Ahead of York were Hinsdale South, St. Charles North, and Chicago Christian, but a 4th place finish was a resounding achievement for the Dukes.

Annie Nyberg, senior and Law Team member since freshman year, had a lot to say about this season, and her membership with the team.

Q: What’s the best part about Law Team?

A: The best part would probably be, at the end of the 6-month season, looking back to where you started and realizing how much you have grown not only as an attorney but as a public speaker and problem solver.

Q: Being a senior, what will you miss the most about Law Team?

A: I will miss the coaches a lot and I will miss the way we all come together as a team to construct our themes and theories of the case as well as our lines of questioning.

Q: Where do you see the Law Team going next year and beyond?

A: I think we have a really solid group of underclassmen who are ready to step up and take over the team, and with our amazing coaches Judge Moran, who is the father of York teacher Tim Moran, and Ms. Regan, they can really win a lot of competitions and do well at state again.

Q: Why should people do Law Team?

A: People should do law team because even if you don’t want to go into a profession involving law, it still teaches you how to properly speak in front of audiences, how to deal with the nerves before an important meeting or interview, how to work with other people on a functional and successful team, and how to think quickly on your feet in order to accomplish your task.

Q: What was the biggest challenge the team overcame this year?

A: The biggest challenge we overcame I would say was placing pretty low in some of our initial competitions but being able to correct our errors and go into state with an evidently great case.

Congratulations on a great season, Dukes.