Samford University Cumberland School of Law’s National Trial Team launched the fall competition season with a bang. During the weekend of Sept. 20-22, members of the team secured a 2nd-place finish in Battle of the Experts, one of the nation’s most prestigious law school mock trial competitions. Additionally, two Cumberland students received Outstanding Advocate awards.

 

Battle of the Experts is a unique competition that showcases the critical role of expert witnesses in litigation. Only 10 of the top trial advocacy schools in the country are invited to participate in the competition, during which students direct and cross examine professionals from a wide range of fields. This year’s mock trial featured a civil case in which the estate of a deceased professional wrestler claimed the wrestler’s wrongful death was the result of the wrestling association’s negligence for using dangerous equipment and failing to consult a stunt coordinator. Both sides featured experts in professional stunts.

 

The Cumberland team earned the No. 1 seed by going undefeated in the preliminary rounds with wins over law schools from Stetson University, Baylor University, Fordham University and UCLA. After defeating Stetson in the semifinals, Cumberland lost the final against UCLA on a split-decision.

 

The team featured third-year students Omega Adams, Blake Cordova and Jacob Powell along with second-year student Grace Grosenbach. The team was assisted by second-year students Melina Lettieri and Brandon Robinson. Coaches included Curtis Seal, JD ’17, Michael Eldridge, JD ’12, Sara Williams, JD ’06, Walt Cobb, JD ’19, and Trent Testa, JD ’21.

 

“This competition is one of the most challenging, nationally recognized trial competitions in the country,” Seal said. “The difficulty is amplified by the fact that students have only about a month to prepare their case.  Our students' success this weekend is a powerful testament to their unwavering work ethic, exceptional talent and utmost professionalism, which they demonstrated in every practice and every round. As coaches, we couldn't be prouder of their incredible achievement.”

 

Two of only four individual awards were distributed to Cumberland students. Adams and Powell received Outstanding Advocate awards for their performances in the preliminary rounds.

 

“Battle of the Experts provided us with an invaluable opportunity to advocate with our hearts and apply skills the Cumberland National Trial program instills in us,” Adams said. "Through Cumberland, we are becoming true advocates. This experience has been so rewarding and would have never been possible without my amazing teammates and our incredible coaching staff.”

 

“Battle of the Experts presents a real-world challenge to students through its use of expert witnesses,” said Judge Jim Roberts, JD ’94, director of National Trial Teams. “Our students and coaches did a fantastic job finishing as national runner-up and, more importantly, our students learned valuable lessons on representing their future clients in the most skilled and professional manner.”

 

Cumberland School of Law is ranked 6th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for trial advocacy, 4th in the national Trial Competition Performance rankings (overall since 2016), 2nd in the national Trial Advocacy Gavel Rankings (overall since 2019), and 8th in the American Bar Association’s top ADR and Moot Court competition teams.