Published on March 30, 2023 by Morgan Black  
South Texas Mock Trial Challenge 23

Cumberland School of Law's National Trial Team has once again excelled in a national competition. In March, team members participated in the South Texas Mock Trial Challenge in Houston, Texas, where they advanced to the final four round. 

The team of Lexie Fuller, Kazia Hale, Monroe Thornton and Courtney Bradshaw represented Cumberland at competition. The event hosted its largest field of competitors in its history, with 48 schools competing. 

Cumberland's team fought their way through to a final four appearance and Kazia Hale received the Outstanding Advocate Award. 

The team was coached by Craig Shirley, J.D. ’19, and Blake Milner, J.D. ’14. 

Shirley said, “I could not be more proud of these students. They are extremely talented and hardworking. They were always willing to put in the necessary work so that they could learn the art and skill of trial advocacy. Through every step of the process, these students represented themselves and Cumberland with the utmost class, respect and professionalism. I am beyond thankful and proud of each and every one of them.”

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.