New York University Mock Trial

What is Mock Trial?

Mock trial is a team-based trial competition. Teams from two different universities square off in a mock case: one school/team represents the prosecution/plaintiff, the other school/team represents the defense. Much like in a real trial, each team delivers an opening statement, calls three (no more, no less) witnesses to testify, cross examines the other team’s witnesses, and delivers a closing argument. However, unlike a real trial, mock trials are not scored on the merits of the case. You can lose the verdict but win the round. The rounds are scored by local legal practitioners – including attorneys, judges, and law professors. Tournaments typically consist of four rounds. Each team is required to represent the prosecution (plaintiff) for two rounds and the defense for two rounds. Through funding from the university, the NYU team travels to different tournaments throughout the country!

Senior Amanda Tuminelli conducting a cross-examination at the Downtown Invitational. She has traveled to California, Iowa, Tennessee, Florida, Minnesota and Washington D.C.

Is the NYU Mock Trial Team any good?

Absolutely! NYU is coming off its most successful season yet, placing fourth in the country at the National Championship tournament. That is fourth out of over 500 colleges and universities enrolled in collegiate mock trial! The team has placed in the top ten at Nationals for three consecutive years, in addition to finishing first at its regional tournament for three consecutive years.

Team 565 celebrating their incredible finish at Columbia University's Mock Trial Tournament. 565 consisted of five first year mockers, all of which were an integral part of the team's success throughout the year.

Does it matter what I am majoring in?

Definitely not. The current team consists of students with majors ranging from economics and finance to English and metropolitan studies. Your major has absolutely no influence on whether you can join the team.

I'm interested in law. Why should I join mock trial?

Because there is no other activity that better prepares you for law school than mock trial. Mock trial gives anyone interested in attending law school a leg-up in several ways: you become intimately familiar with the Federal Rules of Evidence (a required class at most law schools); you become familiar with trial procedures; you get an opportunity to construct a case theory and make legal arguments in front of experienced legal practitioners in real federal courthouses. An opportunity that not every actual attorney gets.

The truth is, I could care less about law school. Is there any reason I should join mock trial?

Mock trial is much more than a résumé-building activity. It is an opportunity to travel, to compete, meet students and to experience the excitement of winning as a team. Here is why you should give mock trial a chance:

Travel. Our traveling schedule involves trips to Washington, D.C., beautiful Southern California -- including Newport Beach and Los Angeles -- Charlotte, North Carolina and Des Moines, Iowa for the National Championship Tournament. Best of all, NYU subsidizes everything from airfare to hotel accommodations. It is a great way to capitalize on our incredibly high tuition!

Meet people. Mock trial allows you to meet new people and make a great group of friends. Mock trial members practice together, travel to tournaments together and go out together. What we do inside mock trial is just as important as what we do outside of it!

Develop universal skills. We compete against the top programs in the country. Regardless of your career plans, mock trial is a terrific opportunity for you to hone and enhance your public speaking and critical thinking skills. Such skills are invaluable regardless of your anticipated profession.

No experience needed. We pride ourselves in recruiting a diverse group of students. Prior mock trial experience is not a requirement. Planning to pursue a career in law is not a requirement. In the past few years, our team has consisted of future doctors, mathematicians, and (hopefully!) Academy Award-winning actors.

If you think there isn’t a place for you on NYU Mock Trial, then you are dead wrong!

Members of NYU Team 566 doing some late night work in their hotel room
prior to their Regional tournament. Made up of seven first year students, 566 argued cases on Yale's historic campus in New Haven, Connecticut.

Some of the girls on the team pose for a photo at a mock trial dinner. Team dinners and social events are commonly planned throughout the year:
"Some of my best friends are on the mock trial team," said junior and executive board member Cindy Jordano (pictured above, third from right).

2008 Atlantic Regional Champions, NYU Team 564 poses for a photo at
the conclusion of the tournament. NYU's top team featured three first year mock trial members. New members routinely enjoy success at NYU.

So how do I join?

Come meet a member of the mock trial team at the NYU Club Fair! It will be held at the Coles' Sports Center, located at 181 Mercer Street (on the corner of Bleeker and Mercer) in early September. We will be there all day answering questions. Additionally, we will be holding informational meetings at the beginning of the Fall semester. Tryout packets will be made available, and you will be able to schedule a time in which you can audition as an attorney, witness, or both. Please do not worry what tryouts will entail, we will cover all of that at the meeting! Check back on our website to find out when our first informational meetings will be held. In the meantime, if you have any additional questions, please email executive board members Amanda Tuminelli or Cindy Jordano.

We look forward to meeting you!