Trial Team of Jacob M. Eckenrode '19, Ariel A. Bauerle '19, Coach Leonard D. Zaccagnino, Angela M. Carson '19, Jonathan J. Reyes '19.

2018 UB School of Law's team: Jacob M. Eckenrode '19, Ariel A. Bauerle '19, Coach Leonard D. Zaccagnino, Angela M. Carson '19, Jonathan J. Reyes '19

Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition

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

2023 Schedule

20th Annual Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition
October 13-15, 2023

Friday, October 13

  • 9:00 a.m. - ROUND 1 (Downtown Buffalo Courthouse)
  • 1:30 p.m. - ROUND 2 (Downtown Buffalo Courthouse)

Saturday, October 14

  • 9:00 a.m. - ROUND 3 (Downtown Buffalo Courthouse)
  • 12 p.m. - Tabulation of Preliminary Scores
  • 1:30 p.m. - Announcement of Teams Advancing
  • 2:00 p.m. – ROUND 4 - Quarter Finals (Downtown Buffalo Courthouse)
  • 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - AWARDS CEREMONY (Location TBD)
    Awards will be given based on the PRELIMINARY ROUNDS for Best Opening Statement, Direct Examination, Cross Examination, Summation, and Overall Advocate.

Sunday, October 15

  • 9:00 a.m. - ROUND 5 - Semifinals (UB School of Law)
  • 12:30 p.m. - Announcement of Finalists
  • 1:00 p.m. - ROUND 6 - Finals (Francis M. Letro Courtroom, UB School of Law)

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.