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The Trial Advocacy Board, better known as TAB, is a student led organization dedicated to providing law students with the opportunity to learn the skills necessary, and gain the experience, for effective trial advocacy through competition. Students learn how to try a case from the preparation stages to closing. This includes trial prep, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments. UK students attend 3-4 competitions each year in various states across the U.S. With an exceptional trial record, UK’s TAB is known for their tradition of excellence. We win – a lot.



Interested in trying out for TAB?



TAB membership consists only of second and third year students. However, first year students can still be involved! In the fall, first year students will have the opportunity to volunteer as a witness for 2L tryouts. Also, in the spring there will be a 1L competition. While winning the 1L competition will not guarantee you a spot on TAB (you still have to try out during your second year), it does give you extra exposure to trial practice and, of course, if you win you have bragging rights!



Second year students can try out for TAB in the fall of their second year. The 2L competition is generally held within the first few weeks of the semester so watch for the emails and flyers once school starts back. Those students who make TAB will receive 1 credit hour at the end of their third year upon successful completion of the credit requirements (which includes things like serving on committees, volunteering as a witness, and helping out with competitions).



In addition to trial competitions, TAB also hosts several litigation panels throughout the year. For more information or questions, please contact: 

 

2023-24 Executive Board:

President: Desmond Varner

Vice President: Jessica Hutchings

Secretary: Kamryn Stewart

Treasurer: Milcah Cobb

Faculty Advisors: Prof. Melissa Henke, Prof. D'Lorah Hughes

 

UK College of Law Trial Advocacy: A Tradition of Excellence

2017-18:

  • Finished in the top four at the National Trial Competition in Austin, TX.
  • U.K. Law Student Caleb Taylor named runner-up for Best Advocate in the Nation by the American College of Trial Lawyers.
  • Winners of the Sixth Circuit Regional Trial Competition in Knoxville, TN.
  • Winners of the Kentucky Intrastate Trial Competition.

2012:

  • Ranked by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy as one of the top 16 Law School Trial Programs in the nation.
  • Finalists at the Seventh Circuit Regional National Trial Competition.

 

2011:

  • Finished 1st at the Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament. Also won Best Advocate.
  • Ranked by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy as one of the top 16 Law School Trial Programs in the nation.
  • Ranked as one of the top eight trial teams in the nation by the American College of Trial Lawyers for third year in a row.
  • Finished 1st at the Seventh Circuit Regional of the National Trial Competition for the 5th year in a row.
  • Finalists at the American Justice Association’s Regional Competition.
  • Finished third in the regionals of the Thurgood Marshall Trial Competition and competed at Nationals.

 

2010: 

  • Ranked by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy as one of the top 16 Law School Trial Programs in the nation.
  • Ranked as one of the top eight trial teams in the nation by the American College of Trial Lawyers.
  • Finished 1st at the Seventh Circuit Regional of the National Trial Competition for the 4th year in a row.

 

2009: 

  • Finished 1st at the Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament. Also won Best Advocate.
  • Ranked by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy as one of the top 16 Trial Programs in the nation.
  • U.K. Law Student, Chris Schaefer, is named Best Advocate in the Nation by the American College of Trial Lawyers.
  • Ranked as the second best team in the Nation by the American College of Trial Lawyers.
  • Finished 1st at the Seventh Circuit Regional of the National Trial Competition for the 3rd year in a row.

 

2008: 

  • Ranked as one of the top 28 trial teams in the Nation by the American College of Trial Lawyers.
  • Finished 1st and 2nd at the Seventh Circuit Regional of the National Trial Competition for the 2nd year in a row.
  • Finished 5th nationally at the Thurgood Marshall National Mock Trial Competition.
  • Finished 1st at the Midwest Regionals of the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition.

 

2007: 

  • Ranked as one of the top 26 trial teams in the Nation by the American College of Trial Lawyers.
  • Named Best Advocate at the Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament.

 

2006: 

  • Finished 1st at the Six Circuit Regional of the National Trial Competition.
  • Finished 1st at the Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament. Also won Best Advocate.
  • Finished 2nd nationally at the Thurgood Marshall National Mock Trial Competition.

 

2005: 

  • Finished 1st at the Southern Regionals of the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition.
  • Named Best Advocate at the Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament.

 

2004: 

  • Finished 1st and 2nd at the Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament. Also won Best Advocate.

 

2003: 

  • Finished 5th nationally at the NITA Tournament of Champions.
  • Ranked by The National Institute of Trial Advocacy as one of the top 16 Trial Programs in the nation.
  • Finished 1st and 2nd at the Sixth Circuit Regional of the National Trial Competition. Also won best closing and best advocate.

 

2002: 

  • Ranked by The National Institute of Trial Advocacy as one of the top 16 Trial Programs in the nation.
  • Finished 12th at the Tournament of Champions.
  • Finished as one of the top 8 trial teams in the country at the American College of Trial Lawyers National Trial Competition.
  • Finished 1st and 3rd at the Sixth Circuit Regional of the National Trial Competition.
  • Finished 1st and 2nd at the Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament. Also won Best Advocate.

 

2001: 

  • Finished 1st at the Sixth Circuit Regional of the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA) Trial Competition.
  • Finished 1st at the Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament.

 

2000: 

  • Finished 1st and 2nd at the Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament. Also won Best Advocate.

 

1999: 

  • Finished 1st at the Sixth Circuit Regional of the National Trial Competition.
  • Finished as one of the top 24 teams in the nation at the National Trial Competition.

 

1998: 

  • Finished 1st at the Sixth Circuit Regional of the National Trial Competition and as one of the top 20 teams in the nation in the National Trial Competition.