Campus News

UK College of Law to Host Regionals of National Trial Competition

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 5, 2015) — Law students from 13 different law schools and four states will make the trip to Lexington to compete for a chance to participate in the National Trial Competition, the most prestigious trial competition in the nation. The University of Kentucky College of Law will host the regional competition at the Fayette District and Circuit Courthouses Feb. 6-8.

The National Trial Competition, sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers and Texas Young Lawyers Association, was created in 1975 as a way for students to strengthen their skills as well as interact with established members of the bench and bar. The program gives students a way to learn more about the nature of trial practice and increase their overall education in law.

The five round competition involves 26 teams of two to three students. Each trial will be judged and scored by a panel of at least three attorneys. The students are evaluated on their opening and closing arguments, as well as their direct and cross-examinations. The mock trials also include 180 volunteer witnesses with statements to learn, who then meet with their advocate beforehand.  In all, more than 150 lawyers and judges will score the students. 

“Students who know how to represent a real client with excellence, in a real trial setting, helps us fulfill our role as an outstanding law school that graduates practice ready lawyers," said Professor Allison Connelly, who has coached UK’s team for 18 years. "Our trial teams have achieved an incredible level of success, but the real success story is what these advocates do with their talent and skill when they graduate; they change lives, one case at a time.”   

The National Trial Competition hosts more than 150 law schools and 1,000 law students from 14 regions. Kentucky is part of the 11th region which includes, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas. Regional competitions are held to see which two teams from the nation's 26 regions will go on to compete for the national championship. Kentucky was second in the nation in 2009 and UK College of Law graduate Chris Schaefer was named the best advocate in the country. The National Trial Competition will be held in Houston, Texas, March 11-15, 2015.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu