Winston Lawyers Play a Part in Shakespeare Mock Trial

As featured in The National Law Journal article “Shakespeare Mock Trial Brings Comedic Relief for Judges and Lawyers,” Winston Co-Executive Chairman Dan Webb and Partner Matt Carter presented to a panel of federal judges appellate arguments based on a scenario from William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Presiding on the bench was Chief Judge Merrick B. Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The special performance was organized by the Shakespeare Theatre Company and attended by over 800. Since 1994, the Mock Trial Series has explored the connection of classical theater and modern-day law.

The Winston team represented the respondent, Sebastian, in “How Am I Beguiled? The Case of Olivia & Sebastian.” In the scenario, petitioner Olivia marries Sebastian after mistaking him for his sister (who, at the time, was dressing in disguise as a man) and then seeks an annulment based on fraud.  According to the article, “Webb...used his argument time to drill holes in the idea that there was any fraud by Sebastian in procuring the marriage, arguing the union was a hasty decision by all concerned, including Olivia.”

Why would anyone make the decision in 30 minutes to marry anybody? Webb asked.

But [Judge Robert L.] Wilkins didn’t miss a beat.

Have you seen ‘The Bachelor’? the judge asked with a straight face.

In the end, the Court affirmed the marriage after failing to reach a majority decision while the audience member jury voted to grant Olivia her annulment.

Watch the mock trial

Liz Grden, Dan Webb, and Matt Carter

Dan Webb