Was there method in Hamlet's madness? Find out when USF law school alumni try Hamlet, Prince of Denmark for murder on October 18 in the USF Presentation Theatre. This event kicks off the 2007 Reunion Weekend.

Hon. Martin J. Jenkins '80, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, will preside over the mock trial which will feature the legal and theatrical skills of Robert Arns '75 of the Arns Law Firm, Therese Cannata '79 of Cannata Ching & O'Toole LLP, and Richard Finn '81 Burnham & Brown, among others. The defendant and witnesses will be played by students in USF's Performing Arts Department. 

 "We are very fortunate to have such able litigators and an accomplished jurist to try this case-one that has puzzled legal scholars and students of English literature for centuries," said Henry Brown '89, director of Advocacy Programs. "Hamlet is a case of great psychological complexity. This mock trial is an opportunity to explore the power of storytelling in a trial setting, using characters created by one of the greatest storytellers of all time."

The attorneys involved would give no indication of their theories of the case, but it is known that attendance at the trial will qualify for two hours of CLE credit. After the trial, all of the players and the audience will have the opportunity to make merry or mourn the verdict in Shakespearean style at a reception on Lone Mountain.

The trial starts at 6:30 in the USF Presentation Theatre in the School of Education Building (2530 Turk Blvd.). Tickets are $25, free for current USF students with ID. 

Reunion Weekend activities continue with the intense and popular Advocate of the Year Competition final round, followed by a student-organized reception in the Kendrick Hall Rotunda on Friday evening, October 19, sponsored by the Moot Court Board. Saturday morning features a private docent-led tour of the deYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park followed by a champagne brunch in the Zief Library Terrace Room. 

The weekend winds up with a Gala Dinner Dance at the JW Marriott Hotel, 500 Post Street, starting at 6:00 p.m. Saturday night. Partygoers will be able to catch up with each over the course of a hosted reception, dinner, and dancing. 

For more information on all of the Reunion Weekend activities and to reserve your place for any and all of the events, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 415.422.2611 or lawalumni@usfca.edu.  Read all about it and register online.

The trial of Hamlet is sponsored by the law school and the USF Law Society Board of Governors.

The USF School of Law is an approved provider of MCLE and certifies that these activities conform to the standards approved for educational activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing minimum continuing legal education.