About Preliminary Questions
About Us.
Neal Schuett
Neal is a criminal defense attorney specializing in areas of University disciplinary actions and related appeals. Neal defends clients accused of misdemeanor offenses through potential capital punishment. Neal has successfully argued numerous cases to Ohio’s District Courts of Appeal.
Neal joined the University of Iowa’s AMTA team and led them to two back-to-back National Championships. While attending Iowa’s law school, Neal coached his alma mater to continued national prominence. Neal transplanted to Cincinnati to coach Miami University and coached them to a 2018 National Championship.
Ben Sandlin
Ben is a civil attorney with experience litigating non-compete agreements, trade secrets, and products liability, construction and business disputes. Ben also practices white-collar criminal defense, counseling clients interacting with the government and defending them when necessary.
Ben began his mock trial career at Reading High School in Cincinnati. In college, Ben competed with Miami University’s AMTA team where he led his teams to 7th, 3rd, and 2nd place National Championship finishes. Since graduation, Ben has coached at Miami, and helped coach Miami to a 2018 National Championship.
Why This.
As we reminisced on a season and prepared to coach another, we imagined a place we could send our mock trial students for foundational education in a central format so everyone knew the same thing from the same source. So, we planned out Preliminary Questions, effectively, on the back of a napkin: an online one-stop mock shop with something for the casual newcomer to the experienced veteran. That became Mock In a Box, trial advocacy education at your fingertips. Later, we conceptualized the Bar Association, the coaches’ corner for everything behind-the-scenes. We are excited that you decided to give us a chance to prove Preliminary Questions’ value.
Why Us.
It seems there is another pop-up trial advocacy resource every day. From books to consulting, we have seen it all (and been offered it for purchase for our students). Preliminary Questions is different. First, we are not just another group of ex-competitors trying to teach you our tricks. We are attorneys who practice law every day and use the skills we teach you in our own practice. Second, we are not mock trial has-beens cashing in on recent success. We have tested the skills we teach you for years and know that they work; if they didn’t, our track records would be much poorer.
All That’s Missing is You.
From never-seen-a-mock-trial to been-around-the-block, Preliminary Questions has what you need. Practical mock trial at your fingertips may be found in your Mock in a Box. Coaches and administrators can join us in the Bar Association.