group of women smiling.

2024 Competition Committee: (left to right) Elizabeth M. Vinal '22; Jennifer R. Scharf '05, Associate Dean for Career Services; Director of Trial Advocacy, Morgann K. Obrochta '20; Dawn Skopinski, Associate Director of the Advocacy Institute; Associate Director for Experiential Learning

Buffalo-Niagara Trial Competition

This competition is one of the biggest national invitationals in the country, with more than 30 teams competing each year.

2024 Competition Results

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:

  • Stetson University College of Law
  • Washington University School of Law
  • NSU Shepard Broad College of Law
  • St. John's University School of Law

Finalists: Nova Southeastern defeated Stetson College of Law

Awards:

  • Best Advocate Award*: Arturo Alverez (Nova Southeastern)
  • Best Opening:   Caroline Kulits (Northwestern), Arturo Alverez (Nova Southeastern), Robert Kaplowitz (Drexel Kline) & Beene Naulapwa (Pacific McGeorge)
  • Best Direct Examination: Emily McLaughlin (Drexel Kline) & MacKenzie Palmer (Washington University School)
  • Best Cross Examination: George Saad (Syracuse University)
  • Best Closing Argument:  Zachary Cotter (Drexel Kline)
  • Hon. Thomas P. Franczyk Best Overall Advocate:  Xavier Russell (Nova Southeastern)
  • Most Professional Team:  Pacific McGeorge
  • Best Witness:  Dedman School of Law (Southern Methodist University)
  • Best Judge:  Hon. John Licata, Fonda Kubiak

Competition Committee:

  • Dawn Skopinski, Associate Director, The Advocacy Institute
  • Morgann Obrochta ’20
  • Elizabeth Vinal ’22
  • Jane Kent '24

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.

About the Annual Competition

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.