Samford University Cumberland School of Law’s National Trial Team has been ranked 5th in the nation on the Trial Competition Performance Rankings for the 2022-2023 academic year. Cumberland’s team is also ranked 4th overall from Fall 2016 to Spring 2023.
According to Fordham Law’s site, where these rankings are listed, “The Trial Competition Performance Ranking (TCPR) is an objective snapshot of achievement in interscholastic law school trial competitions.” The purpose of trial advocacy education is “to prepare law students to advocate and win trials on behalf of their clients while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.” The quality of one’s education is displayed at these prestigious competitions.
The Cumberland Law School has been consistently ranked as one of the top 10 trial advocacy programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the Fordham Trial Performance Rankings and the Hofstra GAVEL Rankings for trial advocacy.
The Gavel Rankings recognize top trial competition results and shine light upon smaller programs while also recognizing schools with high achievements in the toughest competitions. In these rankings, Samford has been 3rd in the nation and 2nd overall since 2019. U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Schools ranking from 2023 ranked Cumberland School of Law’s program as 4th in the nation for best trial advocacy programs.
According to U.S. News, “in many trial advocacy courses, students argue cases before mock judges and juries and may even compete in national or regional mock trial competitions.” U.S. News’ Best Law Schools rankings are designed to assist law students in achieving success in the work force after graduation.
Cumberland’s Director of National Trial Teams, Judge Jim Roberts, J.D. ’94 Samford Alum, shared his experience with the competition.
“The Trial Performance Ranking is a validation of our methodology which focuses on the developing of each individual student,” Roberts said. “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.”
Roberts has had a long, decorated career, and is currently serving as circuit court judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. He has coached Cumberland national trial teams since 1998, leading them to victory in many regional and national trial competitions, several professional awards and numerous individual advocacy awards.
Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law is nationally recognized for trial advocacy and quality instruction, offering wholistic curriculum which trains students in all areas of law, including corporate law, trial advocacy, health law, environmental law and public interest law.
Staff Writer
Love that you are writing on law. Such a great article. So proud of you! Mrs. Gant