Published on September 22, 2023 by Sofia Paglioni  
National Trial Team DR062120230731

Samford University Cumberland School of Law’s National Trial Team has been ranked 5th in the nation in the 2022-23 Trial Competition Performance Rankings and is 4th overall since 2016. The objective rankings are a snapshot of achievement in interscholastic law school trial competitions for the academic year.

Cumberland’s trial advocacy program is regarded as one of the nation’s top programs and has an extensive history of success and achievement. In the latest Best Law Schools ranking from U.S. News & World Report released in 2023, Cumberland School of Law’s program is ranked 4th in the nation for best trial advocacy programs.

Additionally, Cumberland School of Law ranks 3rd in the nation, and 2nd overall since 2019, in the Gavel Rankings, which recognize excellent trial competition results, to give recognition to smaller programs and to acknowledge schools that win the toughest competitions.

The national trial program at Cumberland School of Law focuses on helping student-advocates reach their individual potential by unlocking each student’s true, authentic voice and providing them the skills necessary to compete at the highest levels of law school competition.

Director of National Trial Teams, Judge Jim Roberts, J.D. ’94, said, “the Trial Performance Ranking is a validation of our methodology which focuses on the developing each individual student. I’m very proud of the tremendous students and coaches with whom I work in this program and the work they put in to achieve this ranking.” 

 
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.