Trial Team

The Florida Trial Team is a competitive advocacy program that trains students and gives them the opportunity to compete in simulated jury trials against other law school advocacy programs nationwide. At competitions, students are judged by attorneys on their courtroom skills, including mastery of opening statements, direct and cross examinations, closing arguments, and the handling of objections under the applicable rules of evidence. Credit may be earned by competing in tournaments and by serving in leadership roles on the Team. Typical competition schedules include the Florida Bar’s Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition, the American Association for Justice’s Student Trial Advocacy Competition, and the Texas Young Lawyer Association’s National Trial Competition. The course is graded on a Satisfactory (S), Unsatisfactory (U) basis. Four credits is the maximum amount allowed for any combination of co-curricular activities, including journals and competition teams.