The College of Law Trial Team consists of an elite group of law students trained in the art of trial-level litigation. Each year, team members represent the Florida State University College of Law in competitions against other students from law schools across the nation. At these competitions, team members present cases before judge and jury. Cases encompass a wide range of topics in both the civil and criminal arenas. Case topics have included insurance fraud, homicide, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and wrongful death.
Competition groups normally include two teams of four. The two teams practice against each other countless times before a competition. In actual competitions, each team advocates for both sides of the case, requiring the teams to be well-versed in the strengths and weaknesses of their own case as well as those of their opponents. The teams are coached by a select group of local trial attorneys, judges and professors. In addition, "guest judges" and "guest jurors" also are invited from the law school and local legal community to offer fresh perspectives during the development of the case. The combined years of skill and expertise represented by the coaches is indispensable, and their diverse knowledge provides an unmatched learning experience.
The Florida State University College of Law Trial Team invites you to explore its proud history and current success in hopes that you, too, will catch the fever and join our ranks.