NATIONAL TRIAL TEAM
The National Trial Team is a student organization that focuses on oral advocacy at the trial level. Trial Team members represent Villanova Law at regional and national competitions where they compete against the nation’s best law student advocates in simulated jury trials.
Members of the National Trial Team learn the art of trial advocacy through the best way possible—practice. They are coached by some of the region’s finest litigators, most of whom competed on a team during law school. Under the guidance of these experienced practitioners, Trial Team members are molded into professional and skilled litigators, learning how to take a case and prepare it from pretrial to trial deposition.
Former members of the Villanova Law National Trial Team have gone on to litigate at national firms, public interest offices across the region and various governmental agencies.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL TRIAL TEAM
Leadership:
- Kelsey McCafferty '25, Chairperson
- Grace Mezzannotte '25, Vice Chairperson
Third-Year Students:
- Matthew Ingram '25
- Abby Morris '25
- Ambria Smith '25
- Grant Stephano '25
- Lucy Sumner '25
Second-Year Students:
- Gabriel Dash '26
- Gabrielle Huff '26
- Matthew Peipher '26
- Elizabeth Schultz '26
- Conor Whitlark '26
Those interested in competing on the Villanova Law National Trial Team can apply for membership through competitive tryouts held each summer. Applicants are given two weeks to digest a sample fact pattern and to deliver a persuasive closing argument in the Ceremonial Courtroom (Law School Room 201). After tryouts, the attorney coaches and student leaders extend membership offers to between three and eight students. Because of the work and dedication involved with the team, members of the Trial Team are graded by a faculty coach and receive two academic credits that count toward the spring semester.
The National Trial Team also holds a 1L Competition in the spring, where interested 1L students are given a sample fact pattern and compete in an internal mock trial competition. The advocates’ performance is evaluated by practicing attorneys and current National Trial Team members. Performance in the 1L Competition is considered in National Trial Team membership decisions.
Contact Us:
Kelsey McCafferty '25, Chairperson 2024-2025
RECORD OF EXCELLENCE
The Villanova Law National Trial Team has established itself as one of the most competitive trial advocacy organizations in the region. The Team has advanced to the final rounds of several prestigious competitions throughout the country, including the 2019 National Trial Competition in San Antonio, Texas when the team finished eighth in the nation.
2023-2024
- Finalist, Best Advocate Honorable Mention: White Collar Crime Invitational at Georgetown Law
- Region 3 Champion, Final Round Best Advocate, Semi-finalist: TYLA Regional Trial Competition
- Semi-finalist: American Association for Justice Trial Advocacy Competition
- Quarterfinalist: Pacific McGeorge Gold Cup Competition
- Competitors: TYLA National Trial Competition
2022-2023
- Regional Semifinalist: Regional Trial Competition
- Regional Semifinalist: American Association for Justice Trial Advocacy Competition
- Most Outstanding Brief: South Texas Mock Trial Challenge
- All-Star Bracket Challenge: Regional Champion and National Semifinalist
- Buffalo-Niagara Invitational Competition: Quarterfinalists
2021-2022
- Regional Finalist: American Association for Justice Trial Advocacy Competition
- Champions; Best Final Round Advocate: Regional Trial Competition
2020-2021
- Regional Semifinalist: National Trial Competition
- Regional Finalist: American Association of Justice Trial Competition
2019-2020
- Regional Finalist: National Trial Competition
- Regional Semifinalist: National Trial Competition
- Semifinalist, Best Advocate, and Best Advocate Runner-Up: Battle of the Experts
2018-2019
- National Quarterfinalist: National Trial Competition
- Regional Champion: National Trial Competition
- Regional Semifinalist: National Trial Competition
- Regional Semifinalist: American Association for Justice Trial Advocacy Competition
- Best Advocate: Buffalo-Niagara Mock Trial Competition
2017-2018
- Regional Finalist: National Trial Competition
- Quarterfinalist: Florida National Criminal Trial Competition2016-2017
- Playoffs: Buffalo Niagara Law Competition
2016-2017
- Octofinalist: Buffalo-Niagra Mock Trial Competition
2015-2016
- Regional Finalist: National Trial Competition
2014-2015
- Regional Champion: ABA Labor and Employment Law Competition
- National Tournament Qualifier
- National Semifinalist: ABA Labor and Employment Law Competition
- Regional Semifinalist: TYLA National Trial Competition
- Semifinalist: Capitol City Challenge
2013-2014
- Regional Champion: ABA Labor and Employment Law Competition
- National Tournament Qualifier
- National Runner-Up: ABA Labor and Employment Law Competition
- Quarterfinalist: Capitol City Challenge
2012-2013
- Regional Semifinalist: ABA Labor and Employment Law Competition
- Regional Quarterfinalist: National Trial Competition
2011-2012
- Semifinalist: Capitol City Challenge
- Regional Quarterfinalist: TYLA National Trial Competition
2010-2011
- Regional Champion: ABA National Arbitration Competition
- National Tournament Qualifier
2009-2010
- Semifinalist: Lone Star Classic
- National Tournament Qualifier
- Regional Champion: TYLA National Trial Competition
- National Tournament Qualifier
2008-2009
- Champion: Lone Star Classic
- National Tournament Qualifier
- Regional Champion: TYLA National Trial Competition
- National Tournament Qualifier
Villanova University
Charles Widger School of Law
National Trial Team
299 N. Spring Mill Rd.
Villanova, PA 19085
Faculty Adviser: Christine Mooney