Buffalo-Niagara Trial Competition
This competition is one of the biggest national invitationals in the country, with more than 30 teams competing each year.
The 22nd Annual Buffalo Niagara Mock Trial Competition took place Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Champion: Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Runner-Up: University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law
Hon. Henry J. Nowak '93, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 4th Department, presided over the finals in the fictitious case People v. Feldts, drafted by Hon. Thomas P. Franczyk. Hon. Meredith Vacca ’05, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of New York, and Michael J. Keane ’90, Erie County District Attorney, presided over the semi-finals.
Individual Awards
Best Advocate - Finals (Matthew Schnirel Award*):
Deandre Bell (Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law)
*Awarded in memory of former national trial team member, Matthew Schnirel ’08.
Best Opening Statement:
Brandon Hoolihan (Fordham University School of Law)
Best Direct Examination:
Destiny Rodriguez (Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law)
Best Cross Examination (tie):
Tiara Arties (University of Missouri–Kansas City)
John Defranco (University of Illinois Chicago School of Law)
Tingyi Guo (DePaul University College of Law)
Belle Yeager (Stetson College of Law)
Best Closing Argument:
Deandre Bell (Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law)
Hon. Thomas P. Franczyk Best Overall Advocate:
Benjamin Compton (University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law)
Kieran Woerner (University of Denver Sturm College of Law)
Most Professional Team:
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
Best Jury Appeal:
Stetson College of Law
Syracuse University College of Law
Best Judge:
Hon. Monica P. Wallace ’94
Semi-Finalists
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law
Teams Rounding Out the Top Eight
University at Buffalo School of Law
University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law
Lewis & Clark Law School
Northwestern University Pritzker 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.