Samford University Cumberland School of Law has been ranked 5th in the nation in the Trial Advocacy Gavel Rankings for 2023-24. Overall, Cumberland School of Law ranks 2nd in the nation since 2019.

The Gavel Rankings recognize excellent trial competition results, give recognition to smaller programs and acknowledge schools that win the toughest competitions. Competitions are identified by polling some of the most respected trial team coaches and directors, including Judge Jim Roberts, JD ’94, director of Cumberland’s National Trial Teams. Coaches score each competition from one to 10, reflecting how difficult it is for a team to be successful at that given competition. 

“It is an honor to be ranked 5th in the Gavel Rankings for this past year and 2nd in the country overall since the inception of the rankings,” Roberts said. “This year, for the first time in program history, we swept both the National Trial Competition regionals and the American Association of Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition regionals, advancing four teams from Cumberland to nationals in these two prestigious competitions. Our achievements are a tribute to our incredible students whose hard work and willingness to learn make our results possible, and to our dedicated coaches who devote countless hours to educate our students and to continuing the excellence of our program.”

Cumberland School of Law’s trial advocacy program is also ranked 6th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for and 4th overall since 2016 in the national Trial Competition Performance rankings.