This competition is one of the biggest national invitationals in the country, with more than 30 teams competing each year.
The 21st Annual Buffalo Niagara Mock Trial Competition concluded on Sunday, October 6, after teams from 24 law schools competed.
Hon. Lawrence J. Vilardo, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of New York, presided over the fictitious case drafted by Hon. Thomas P. Franczyk. Hon. Meredith Vacca ’05, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of New York, and Vincent E. Doyle, III ’89 of Connors LLP, presided over the semi-finals.
Semi-Finalists:
Finalists: Nova Southeastern defeated Stetson College of Law
Awards:
Competition Committee:
More than 125 attorneys served as judges and trial evaluators, and more than 40 UB Law students and undergraduate students volunteered as bailiffs to ensure smooth trials. Thank you to Dean S. Todd Brown and Prof. Anthony O’Rourke, Director of the Advocacy Institute, for their support.
* This award is given in memory of Matthew Schnirel ’08, former trial team member.
Since 2004, teams from more than 30 law schools across the country travel to Buffalo to compete in this prestigious annual competition. Law students try both sides of a homicide case before experienced judges and trial attorneys who volunteer as judges and evaluators.
After the preliminary rounds, the top 8 teams advance to the final rounds. Awards are presented at a banquet and include honors for Best Opening, Best Direct, Best Cross, Best Closing and Best Advocate.