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University at Buffalo (UB)
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Contact Us

For additional questions or comments regarding the competition, please contact:

* Jennifer Scharf, Director of Trial Advocacy Program

A group of nine people standing together indoors in front of a large projection screen. The screen displays text reading “Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition 2025” along with an image of a scenic waterfront. The individuals are dressed in a mix of business and semi-formal attire, and the setting appears to be a reception or awards event with modern decor and overhead geometric ceiling panels.

Buffalo-Niagara Trial Competition

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

2026 Competition Results

The 23rd Annual Buffalo Niagara Mock Trial Competition took place October 16 - 18, 2026.

The Winning Team: Stetson University School of Law
Second Place: DePaul University School of Law

Matthew Schnirel Memorial Best Advocate Award
 Brianna Barron, Stetson University College of Law

Semi-finalists: 

  • DePaul University College of Law
  • Mercer University School of Law
  • Stetson University College of Law
  • University of Baltimore School of Law

Preliminary round honors:
 Individual awards recognized the advocates who distinguished themselves during the first four rounds.

Best Opening Statement - Three-way Tie

  • Aaron Lieberman, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
  • Claire Holmes, Lewis & Clark Law School
  • Brianna Serafin, Stetson University College of Law

Best Direct Examination

  • Talon Sulfridge, University of Tennessee Winston College of Law

Best Cross Examination

  • Katherine Saenz, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

Best Closing Argument

  • Amber Gaylord, University of Wisconsin Law School

Hon. Thomas P. Franczyk Best Overall Advocate

  • Ahad Khan, University of Baltimore School of Law

Teams selected Shayna Gorski '14 as the competition’s Best Judge.

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.