A UALR William H. Bowen School of Law student team is headed to national competition in Houston this week after defeating host school University of Kentucky in finals to win the Region 11 Trial Team Competition in February.

Sydney Brown and Jacob Franklin joined students from 13 schools across a four-state region to compete for a shot at the most prestigious trial competition in the nation.

UALR’s Hannah Wood, Claire Hyatt, and Megan Dauksch were part of a second student team that finished in a sixth-place tie among the 26 teams represented at regionals. The UALR teams were led by Law Professor Michael Johnson and Adjunct Instructor Hugh Finkelstein.

Region 11 competition draws students enrolled in law schools across Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky.

“These successes highlight the commitment of Bowen students, faculty, attorneys, and judge volunteers. We are proud of Bowen’s reputation for equipping students with practice-ready skills,” said Dean and Professor of Law Michael Hunter Schwartz.

At regional competition, the students were evaluated on their opening and closing arguments and their direct and cross-examinations. The mock trials also included 180 law school witnesses who prepped by memorizing statements and meeting with their advocates.

The outstanding performance of both teams stemmed from practicing every weekend since late December, including 12 full trials, according to their professors.

Several area judges also supported the teams and included Judges Herb Wright, Morgan “Chip” Welch, Cathi Compton, Leon Johnson, Tim Fox, Mary McGowan, and former Acting Judge, Chris Palmer.

UALR’s showing was a remarkable achievement considering the formidable opposition presented by such schools as Washington University of St. Louis, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, and University of Louisville, among others, according to Johnson.

Johnson said the National Trial Competition is held in two phases-a regional competition, which involves 150 schools and 1,000 law students from 14 regions, and the National Finals, which involves 28 teams (two from each region) that advance from regionals.

The National Finals will be held March 11-15 and follows regional competition, held each year between the end of January and mid-February. Teams that advance to the National Finals must learn and prepare a new case within three weeks, according to Johnson.

Created in 1975, the competition seeks to strengthen law students’ skills and provide a way to interact with legal professionals. The program helps students learn more about the nature of trial practice and increase their overall education.