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.
2025 Competition Information
The 22nd Annual Buffalo Niagara Mock Trial Competition will take place from Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26, 2025.
- Friday, Oct. 24 Morning (8:30 am-12 noon) – Buffalo City Court
- Friday, Oct. 24 Afternoon (1:00-4:30 pm) – Buffalo City Court
- Saturday, Oct. 25 Morning (8:30 am-12 noon) – Buffalo City Court
- Saturday, Oct. 25 Afternoon (1:00-5:00 pm) – Buffalo City Court
- Sunday, Oct. 26 Morning (8:30 am-12 noon) – UB School of Law
- Sunday, Oct. 26 Finals (12:30-4:00 pm) – UB School of Law
Be a Buffalo-Niagara Trial Competition VOLUNTEER!
Organizers are looking for volunteers for the following:
- Friday & Saturday, 8:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., at Buffalo City Court located downtown.*
- Sunday, 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Finals) at the UB School of Law.
* Our greatest need is for all day Friday and Saturday.
Benefits:
- Qualified volunteers can earn 3.0 NYS CLE credits (non-transitional) in Skills per session.
- Light commitment, lots of fun!
- Pre-round briefings will be provided.
Optional Preview Session:
- Friday, October 17th, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., either in person or via Zoom.
Preview the case's legal and evidentiary issues. Qualified volunteers can earn an additional 1.5 NYS CLE credits (transitional and non-transitional).
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.