Minnesota Law’s Mock Trial Team Reaches Quarterfinals in the 2024 National Trial Competition

After sweeping the Upper Midwest regional tournament in February and becoming one of only a handful of schools nationwide to qualify two teams for the national tournament, Minnesota Law's two mock trial teams achieved a school record-setting performance at the 2024 National Trial Competition earlier this month in Houston, TX. Team Maroon, comprised of Diana Kawka '24, Dominik Ruch '24, and Thaameran Sarveswaran '25, reached the quarterfinals for the first time in Minnesota Law history, finishing as one of the top 8 teams in the country (out of more than 300 teams nationwide). Team Gold, comprised of Nathan Barry '25, An Duong '24, and Simon Earle '24, also surpassed Minnesota Law’s previous record with an outstanding performance against many highly competitive teams.

The National Trial Competition—hosted by the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) and co-sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)—is one of the oldest and largest law school mock trial tournaments in the country, and is judged by ACTL Fellows, a select group of the nation's most successful trial attorneys.

Congratulations to both teams!

The teams were coached by Craig Roen '87 and adjunct professors and former competitors Joseph Janochoski '18, and Tommy Harshaw '22. Both teams received critical support throughout the year from the mock trial program’s scrimmage team, consisting of Will Myers '24, Brandon Redmon '24, and Marie Lundgren '25.