Executive Board
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Executive Board
Claire Engley, President
Majors: English with a Literature Concentration, Minoring in Biology and Women's & Gender Studies
Year: Senior
Claire aspires to be a lawyer; however, is still debating what specific type of law she wishes to enter. Over the years, Claire’s favorite part of Mock Trial remains to be the tryout process, as she is eager to meet the new students who she will be working and developing lasting friendships with in the coming year. Aside from Mock Trial, Claire enjoys working on her current writing project and reading, along with singing, drawing, and spending time with her friends.
Roman Martinez, Vice President
Majors: Political Science and Economics, minoring in Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership
Year: Sophomore
For his future career, Roman is interested in becoming an attorney. He loves that Mock Trial forces competitors to analyze facts from all angles when forming a case theory, as it reminds students to keep an open mind on issues that present in everyday life. In his spare time, Roman loves exploring the many beautiful outdoor spaces his home state of New Mexico has to offer.
Delaney Sousa, Tournament Coordinator
Major: English with Writing and Literature Concentrations
Year: Junior
Delaney aspires to be either a Civil Rights attorney or law professor. Her favorite part about Mock Trial was writing and delivering opening statements. In her free time, she likes to bake, read, hike, and visit National Parks.
Ben Gonzales, Practice Coordinator
Majors: Criminology and English, minoring in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Film Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies
Year: Junior
Ben is seeking to be a law professor, and their favorite part of Mock Trial is the development of an effective and creative case theory. They enjoy hanging out with their cat, reading, mountain biking, cooking, skiing, and playing board games.
Katie Wood, Practice Coordinator
Majors: Criminology and Psychology
Year: Sophomore
Katie is interested in being a defense attorney as her future career, and her favorite part of Mock Trial this past year was getting to know others who shared similar interests in the law. She likes spending her free time by painting, listening to music, cooking, and hanging out with friends.
Andrew Samuelson, Marketing Chair, Secretary, Treasurer
Majors: Political Science and Economics
Year: Senior
Andrew seeks to become a Civil Litigation attorney. These past few years, Andrew has enjoyed building relationships with those in the program while working on the case. He values the time spent with others in Mock Trial building a narrative, as this grows bonds and friendships that last beyond the program. Andrew is also a musician in the Gonzaga Jazz Ensemble and the Bulldog band. He enjoys skiing and skating, along with sports. You can catch him around campus frequently wearing one of his many sports jerseys!
Executive Board
Emily Gates: president
Claire Engley: council member
Jeff Melchor: council member
Colin Cantu: council member
Luke Pfister: council member
Alyssa Durst: council member
Executive Board
Kurt Wohlers, President, Class of 2019
Kurt is a Philosophy and Communication Studies major. He hails from La Center, WA (Population 3000), and enjoys all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Kurt plans on becoming a criminal defense attorney and hopes to one day work with the Innocence Project.
Luke Pfister, Vice President, Class of 2021
Luke Pfister is from Redmond, Washington. He has not declared his major yet but is leaning towards Psychology. In his free time, Luke enjoys playing the guitar, hanging out with his dog, and procrastinating. If you think you can beat Luke in the classic game of FIFA, you are incorrect.
Maggie Kruzner, Tournament Director, Class of 2021
Hailing from Seattle, Maggie Kruzner is pursuing a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science, and a minor in German.
Maggie has a passion for doing her homework, reading the US Constitution, and memorizing objection numbers. When Maggie isn't going mock trial crazy, you can catch her playing intramural volleyball, eating potatoes of any variety, or binge-watching Parks and Rec.
Hillary Longoria, Secretary-Treasurer, Class of 2021
Hillary is a sophomore and this will be her second year with the program.
Coaches
David Bingaman, Esq.
Assistant Coach
David is a licensed attorney with over a decade of experience. He is also is the founder of Northwest Corporate Counsel, which provides corporate counsel to various local businesses. Dave has experience as an attorney, former mock trial participant, and coach.
Daisy Tran, Esq.
Consulting Coach
Daisy is a licensed attorney and former public defender. She has experience as an attorney, mocker, and coach. She mocked for Gonzaga from 2004 - 2007, and has over eight years of coaching experience.
Prior to joining Gonzaga's coaching staff, she coached EWU's mock trial team for three seasons. After coaching five seasons with Gonzaga, Daisy is taking a break to focus on her studies, but will continue to offer assistance for tournaments and for the website.
While coaching the program, you'd often find her taking photos at competitions or carrying the program's snack bag. She has two pet rabbits and is an avid blackjack player.
Executive Board
Sarah Kohan, President, Class of 2018
Sarah is a senior at Gonzaga, majoring in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Originally from Tri-Cities, Washington, Sarah joined mock trial after her less-better-looking brother graduated and ended his mock trial run.
She enjoys weiner dogs, wine, and puzzles in her free time. You can also find her binge-watching Grey's Anatomy.
Kurt Wohlers, Vice President, Class of 2019
Kurt is a Philosophy and Communication Studies major. He hails from La Center, WA (Population 3000), and enjoys all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Kurt plans on becoming a criminal defense attorney and hopes to one day work with the Innocence Project.
Sharon Maher, Tournament Director, Class of 2018
Sharon is a junior, pursuing a degree in International Relations and Political Science, with a minor in Spanish. Originally from Moraga, California, Sharon competed in high school mock trial and Youth and Government. In the little free time she has (because mock trial is her life), Sharon likes to play bass and guitar with a local band.
Joe Parry, Treasurer, Class of 2020
Joe is a sophomore at Gonzaga, pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering (with hopefully a philosophy minor). He is on eof the few East Coast students at the school. He comes from a small town south of Boston, where he loves spending time with family, going to the beach or on the boat, going out for breakfast.
When Joe isn't working on mock trial, he is usually playing volleyball or hanging out in Hemmingson. He is also avid about puns and dad jokes.
Elli Williams, Secretary, Class of 2018
Elli is a senior at Gonzaga, pursuing a degree in Political Science. She is from Puyallup, WA, just outside of Seattle. After graduating at the end of this year, she plans to attend law school and become a prosecutor.
Coaches
Dr. Vik Gumbhir
Head Coach
Dr. Gumbhir is an associate professor of sociology and criminology. He teaches a variety of courses, including Research Methods, Social Issues in Film, Social History of Rock and Roll, and Inequality, Crime, and Urban Life. Dr. Gumbhir was a former assistant coach of the Gonzaga Mock Trial program and has returned to the program as the interim Head Coach. He specializes in speaking and presenting and witness development.
David Bingaman, Esq.
Assistant Coach
David is a licensed attorney with over a decade of experience. He is also is the founder of Northwest Corporate Counsel, which provides corporate counsel to various local businesses. Dave has experience as an attorney, former mock trial participant, and coach.
Daisy Tran, Esq.
Consulting Coach
Daisy is a licensed attorney and former public defender. She has experience as an attorney, mocker, and coach. She mocked for Gonzaga from 2004 - 2007, and has over eight years of coaching experience.
Prior to joining Gonzaga's coaching staff, she coached EWU's mock trial team for three seasons. After coaching five seasons with Gonzaga, Daisy is taking a break to focus on her studies, but will continue to offer assistance for tournaments and for the website.
While coaching the program, you'd often find her taking photos at competitions or carrying the program's snack bag. She has two pet rabbits and is an avid blackjack player.