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Larry J. McCord (back row, center) poses with the winners of the mock trial competition that was held April 25 at the Wyandanch High School auditorium. The winning team was coached by Steve Ieronimo (third from left, holding trophy), Student-Teacher, Wyandanch High School. They are also joined by Dr. Clyde Payne (left), Dean, Dowling College School of Education; DuWayne Gregory (second from left), Suffolk County Legislator; Bishop Ronald Allen Sr. (back row, left), Trustee, Wyandanch School District; Dr. Pless M. Dickerson (back row, second from right), Superintendent of Schools, Wyandanch School District; and Hon. Arthur Pitts (back row, right), Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice; and Mrs. Shirley Baker (front row, right), Board of Education President, Wyandanch School District.
Larry J. McCord Congratulates Winners of Mock Trial Competition
Law Firm Provides $1,200 in Prizes for Both Teams
On April 25, Larry J. McCord, Partner, Larry McCord and Associates LLC, joined Dr. Pless M. Dickerson, Superintendent of Schools, Wyandanch School District, in presenting a mock trial competition at Wyandanch High School. In the trial of People v. P.J. Long, a four-judge panel —comprised of Dr. Dickerson, Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge Arthur Pitts, Suffolk County Legislator DuWayne Gregory, and Dowling’s Dean of Education, Dr. Clyde Payne — found in favor of the defense. The defense, coached by Steven Ieronimo, a student-teacher at Wyandanch High School, received 214 points and the prosecution, coached by Diane Fox, a teacher at Wyandanch High School, received 192 points. Both teams collectively won $1,200 in prizes, courtesy of Larry McCord and Associates.
Teams were judged on their performance and overall professionalism, including preparedness, civility, ethics and adherence to the rules. The mock trial participants consisted of students at Wyandanch High School who are currently enrolled in Mr. McCord's Business Law class at Dowling College as part of a bridge program between the high school and the college.
Individual prizes went to Best Witness and Best Lawyer. The Best Witness awards went to Shanelle Tomlin and Matthew Wheeler. The Best Lawyer award recipients were Jolivia Brown and Michelle James.
In People v. P.J. Long, a young woman was assaulted in the parking lot of a hip-hop club. The victim and her friend claimed they saw the assailant singing a rap song before the assault and heard the song again while the victim was being beaten by a blunt instrument. Her friend claimed that he was able to identify the attacker by the design on the back of the assailant’s jacket, although he could not see the attacker’s face. Students portrayed the victim and her friend, the alleged assailant, the prosecutors, the defense attorneys and witnesses for both sides.
Mr. McCord was the Founding President of the Wyandanch High School Parent Teacher Organization and has been one of its executive board members for the past 10 years. As an attorney, he concentrates his practice in education law, dealing with students’ and teachers’ rights and parental rights. He also represents parents and students with school suspensions, staff members at superintendent (3214) hearings and clients at Child Support Enforcement (CSE) and Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) cases. He is also a certified school teacher and served as a personnel committee chairman of a local school district, school board president, district attendance teacher and hearing officer.
Now in its 31st year, the New York State High School Mock Trial Tournament teaches high school students basic trial practice skills and how to conduct direct and cross examinations, present opening and closing statements, think on their feet and learn the dynamics of a courtroom. It is sponsored by the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Law, Youth and Citizenship and The New York Bar Foundation.
