Samford University Cumberland School of Law has been ranked 5th in the nation in the GAVEL Rankings, a new trial advocacy ranking system created by Hofstra Law School, for the 2021-2022 academic year. Additionally, Cumberland School of Law ranks 3rd in the nation overall for a three-year period beginning with the 2019-2020 year, gauging the success of the trial advocacy program over that time span.

 

The rankings are based on a weighted point system that recognizes performance in the most difficult of trial competitions. To identify those competitions, creator of the rankings, Hofstra Professor Jared Rosenblatt polled 25 of the most respected trial team coaches in the country, including Cumberland’s Head of National Trial Teams, Judge Jim Roberts ’94.

 

“The GAVEL Rankings’ approach to rewarding programs for doing well in the most difficult competitions is unique,” said Judge Roberts. “It was an honor to be included among the select group of coaches nationwide to rank the difficulty of each competition. However, it is even more of an honor to work with the tremendously dedicated, talented and hardworking students and coaches that made Cumberland’s rankings possible.”

 

Cumberland School of Law is also ranked 10th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for trial advocacy training and 4th overall since 2016 by Fordham Law School’s Trial Competition Performance rankings.