Buffalo Niagara Trial 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 16 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.

28 law school teams traveled to Western New York to participate in the 19th Annual Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition which took place Friday, Oct. 14th to Sunday, Oct. 16.

Nova Southeastern (defense) defeated University of Baltimore School of Law (prosecution) by a 3-2 vote, winning the Finals of the Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition on Oct. 16th. Hon. Tracey A. Bannister (Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Fourth Department) presided over the case of People v. Bob Ross, a fictional case drafted by Jessica DeMichiel, Cathleen Roemer, Elizabeth Vinal, Caitlin O'Neil, and Jennifer Scharf.

Amanda Sirleaf (University of Baltimore School of Law) won the Best Advocate award, given in memory of Matthew Schnirel ’08, who was a member of our national trial team in his graduating year. Matthew’s sister Rebecca Schnirel ’14, who is a trial team coach, Trial Technique Instructor, and Assistant District Attorney in Erie County, and their father, Kevin Schnirel, presented the award to Sirleaf.

The following awards were given after the preliminary rounds:

• Best Opening: Jake Dianno, Villanova
• Best Direct Examination: Ben Ellison, NKU Chase
• Best Cross Examination: Tie between Daniel Holtzer, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and Austin Sperl, Hofstra Law
• Best Closing Argument: Alicia Armstrong, Penn State Law
• Hon. Thomas P. Franczyk Best Overall Advocate: Bri Goodchild, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Quarterfinals:

• Penn State Law (Team U)
• Loyola Los Angeles (Team Y)
• University of Baltimore School of Law (Team M)
• Villanova Law (Team BB)
• Washington University School of Law (Team O)
• St. John's University School of Law (Team K)
• Fordham University School of Law (Team AA)
• Nova Southeastern (Team N)

Semifinals:

• University of Baltimore School of Law
• Loyola Los Angeles
• Nova Southeastern
  
• Washington University School of Law

Finals:

• Nova Southeastern (defense)
• University of Baltimore School of Law (prosecution)