09/09/2026

2026 Eiler Award Winner Announced

COLUMBUS (September 9, 2026) – The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE) is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2026 Lori Urogdy Eiler Award is Monica Tuttle. Monica will receive the award at this year’s Mock Trial Conference on Tuesday, September 15th, in Columbus.  

Monica is an attorney and Mock Trial legal advisor who has coached at Columbus School for Girls (CSG) since 2014 and has served as head coach since 2020. During her time at CSG, she has coached over 200 students, instilling the principles of pushing themselves, acknowledging faults and celebrating successes to encourage personal growth and active engagement. She also coached mock trial at The Ohio State University from 2005 to 2013. Additionally, Monica has been involved with OCLRE since 2004, volunteering as a judge at several program events each year, as a speaker at OCLRE’s annual Mock Trial Conference and as a member of the 2005-06 Mock Trial Case Committee. 

OCLRE Board Vice-President Andrew Ambrose Mackey, Ed.D., wrote the following in his nomination: 

“[Monica] connects with team members as individuals, identifies what is holding each of them back, and walks them through it until they reach a level of performance they did not believe was available to them. Healthy competition, creative thinking about how a case can be built, and respect for opposing teams and judges are the standards she sets and the standards she models.” 

The Lori Urogdy Eiler Award for Mock Trial Coaching Excellence is named in honor of Lori Urogdy Eiler, a retired teacher and former mock trial advisor at Shaw High School in East Cleveland. Presented annually, the award recognizes a Mock Trial teacher, legal advisor, volunteer or administrator whose dedication and selflessness in giving their time, as well as their knowledge and skills, makes a difference in the lives of students. Eligible candidates are those who regularly inspire and motivate teams to outstanding performance, while also modeling civility and holding their students accountable for the same. 

OCLRE congratulates Monica Tuttle as the recipient of this year’s award.

The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to improve society by developing citizens empowered with an understanding of our democratic system. OCLRE is sponsored by the Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General, Ohio State Bar Association and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation. For more information about OCLRE and its programs, visit www.oclre.org. 

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