Buffalo State College will host the American Mock Trial Association's 2011 Great Lakes Regional Tournament.

The event will be held Feb. 26-27 and will see more than two dozen teams from New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio converge on campus.

The competition will consist of four rounds; two on Saturday and two on Sunday. Students will be heard by a panel of three judges comprised of local attorneys, judges and other members of the legal community who volunteer for the event.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Buffalo State," said Jon Lines, political science lecturer and regional tournament director. "We look forward to bringing together Western New York's legal community with the more than 200 student attorneys and witnesses who will be competing."

The winner will earn a spot in the American Mock Trial Association's National championship Tournament in May.

More information about the tournament is available at greatlakesmocktrial.webs.com or by contacting Lines at 465-1327.

279 attorneys to be sworn in March 3

The 4th Judicial Department will oversee the swearing in of 279 candidates as attorneys in a ceremony next month in Rochester.

Twice a year, the court swears in new attorneys from across its jurisdiction, which covers 22 counties in central and Western New York.

In order to be considered for inclusion in the bar, in addition to passing the exam, candidates must pass an examination of their character and fitness to practice law. Those determinations are made by committees appointed by the court. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m., March 3 at the Hyatt Regency Rochester. For information, contact court clerk Patricia Morgan at 585-530-3101.

UB Alumni GOLD group to host social event

The University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association Gold Group (Graduates of the Last Decade) will offer a social gathering for UB Law applicants as part of accepted student weekend. It's scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m., March 4 at Encore Restaurant, 492 Pearl St., Buffalo. The event is open to GOLD members and the cost is $15 per person, $10 per law student. RSVP by Feb. 22 by calling the alumni office at 645-2107 or online at law.buffalo.edu/AlumniEvent.asp.

- Compiled by Matt Chandler