coaches
emily shaw
head coach
Emily has been the Head Coach for UCI Mock Trial since 2017. She earned her Ph.D. in psychology — specializing in jury decision-making — from UCI in 2021. She now works as a jury consultant for a firm in LA.
saga chidella
assistant coach
When Saga graduated with a B.A. in Business Economics in 2022 she had competed on the UCI mock trial team for two years. After two years of working in accounting/finance, she is currently attending UCI Law School.
iris gillam
assistant coach
Iris competed for UCI mock from 2021-2025 while captaining multiple teams for the majority of that time. She led her team to 3 consecutive first places at Slo Town Hoe Down, 2 first place trophies at Anteater, and 11 team trophies overall. Currently she is the operations manager at her father’s company, and plans to continue helping out with UCI mock while also helping out her high school mock trial team.
sophia hobby
assistant coach
Sophia competed for Anteater mock from 2021-Fall 2024. During her years on the team, she won both All-Regional and All-National Witness awards, and helped her team win multiple SPAMTAs. She also ran several workshops to improve team leadership and performance skills.
Varshini Srikanthan
assistant coach
Varshini is an alum and former President of UCI Mock Trial, and she captained her A-Team to a top 5 finish at Nationals. She has won numerous attorney and witness awards, including an All National Attorney award. She is now pursuing her J.D. at UCLA Law School and competes on UCLA law’s trial team.
Julie Jones
assistant coach
Julie competed with UCI Mock Trial from 2022 - 2024, joining in her third year as a transfer student from community college. Captaining in her first and second years in the program, Julie was integral in helping her team earn a bid to regionals, and captained a first place winning team. Since then, Julie has elevated UCI Mock Trial as Assistant Tournament Director, and has contributed to UCI’s current #15 national ranking as a competitor on our top team. Julie is currently working full time at a personal injury firm and applying to law school.
Caitlin todd
assistant coach
Caitlin competed for Anteater Mock from 2022-2025. In their time with the program, Caitlin served as Tournament Director and captained five teams, leading one to a bid at regionals. Currently, Caitlin is working at a local law firm as they work toward completing their triple major at UCI. After graduation in 2026, Caitlin will continue working as they apply for law school.
Josiah Jones
assistant coach
Josiah competed with UCI Mock Trial from 2020 - 2024, serving as both the program’s President and A-Team captain. During his time at UCI Mock Trial, he won over 20 attorney and witness awards, including two All-American attorney awards. Josiah competed at Trial By Combat twice and placed 2nd in 2023. After graduation, Josiah will be working at a local law firm and applying to law school.
Dylan Darwish
assistant coach
Dylan is an alum and former A-Team captain and treasurer, earning 12 individual attorney and witness awards throughout his time on the team. He is now pursuing his J.D. at UCLA Law and competing on UCLA Law’s trial team. Beyond law, Dylan has a background in professional acting, with experience in film and television.
daniel dickinson
assistant coach
Daniel competed for Anteater Mock Trial from 2022-2025. Over the course of his eventful mock career, he captained two Fall teams and won approximately four witness awards. He is finishing his B.S. in Psychology with Criminology and Queer Studies minors before pursuing his Master’s and PhD in Forensic Psychology.