FIU Law Trial Team reach quarterfinals at tourney

 Alejandro Gonzalez of Miami Lakes is part of the Florida International University Law College’s Trial Team that reached the “Elite 8” at a national competition in April.

The students shown from left are: Michael Leatherman and Rachel Cross, both second year law students; lead coach Ashley Lherisson and third year law students Alejandro Gonzalez and Naomi Eid, in a photo provided by the team.

The group won a regional competition in March before advancing to the quarterfinal round at the American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition, held in Atlanta. Their case was a civil wrongful death trial after a fatal highway tractor-trailer crash.

It was the first time an FIU team advanced that far, after winning three previous regional championships, the school said.

 Gonzalez, 23, attended Hialeah Gardens High School and earned a degree in communications from FIU. He is interning at Redemption Law, a personal injury firm.

 Gonzalez lives in town with his parents Rainel and Milays Gonzalez and sister Rachel Gonzalez.