main content Lewis & Clark Law Students Shine in National Deposition Competition

Last November, four Lewis & Clark Law students—Lex Shvartsmann ’25, Krissi McVay ’25 (formerly Farrimond), Alpha Tessema ’25, and Thelma Martínez ’26—delivered outstanding performances at the inaugural Syracuse Deposition Competition (SDC), a national event designed to bridge the gap in deposition training for law students. After months of rigorous practice rounds, their preparation paid off. Competing virtually from November 1–3, 2024, the team advanced to the semifinal round, outshining teams from across the U.S. and even Wales.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the work they put in and how they supported each other,” said Jo Perini-Abbott, Executive Director of the Lewis & Clark Advocacy Center. “These four are graduating with more deposition experience now than most junior associates, and I can personally vouch that they were all excellent.”

The SDC is a groundbreaking event that provides law students with a simulated, real-world environment to hone their deposition skills. As depositions increasingly replace trials in the legal profession, opportunities like the SDC equip future attorneys with essential, practical experience.

Competing schools included Syracuse University College of Law, the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, and the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law at Swansea University in Wales. The event emphasized both taking and defending depositions, with virtual training sessions preceding the competition to ensure participants had a strong foundation.