Winston Attorneys Perform in Mock “Trial of Mordred: Insurrection at Camelot”

Carrying on the tradition begun by Winston Co-Executive Chairman Dan Webb, on June 25, Partner Linda Coberly participated in “The Trial of Mordred: Insurrection in Camelot,” part of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Mock Trial Series.

In appealing Petitioner Mordred’s conviction for treason, Linda, Winston Chicago office managing partner and Appellate & Critical Motions Practice chair, and Stephanie, an associate in that practice, argued that the prosecution violated his First Amendment rights of free speech and association and failed to prove Mordred’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Counsel to the Respondent, the Kingdom of Camelot, was Solicitor General of the United States Noel Francisco. The trial was presided over by United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The bench included Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan, The Honourable Suzanne Côté, and Judge Patricia A. Millett.

Introduction and Summary of the Argument for Modred:

This case presents critical questions of law;
‘Twas born of betrayal, emotions left raw.
Disloyal Queen Jenny and French traitor Lance
were caught in flagrante—by plan, not by chance—
as Sir Justice Mordred (a sworn job to do)
exposed Jenny’s treason and Lancelot’s too.
A goal to impress and to shore up his spot
at Arthur’s Round Table, our poor Mordred got
all the blame, quite unfairly, for chaos ensuing
when Guenevere fell, of her own wrongdoing.
The King’s precious laws sent his Jenny to death,
but Lance interfered ere she caught her last breath.
With knights at his side, Lance attempted a coup.
And Mordred? He fled [and I ask, wouldn’t you?]
to Scotland with knights who preferred the old days,
with banter and bluster as glasses they raise.
Old friends, hapless exiles, engaged in a plot
to overthrow Arthur? Why, certainly not!
And so, to this Court, Mordred’s fates now must go.
A scoundrel, perhaps, but a criminal? No.