Internal Competitions
The Mock Trial Board hosts two internal competitions every year—one during each semester. The competitions are headed up by an appointed group of Competition Chairs and overseen by the President and Vice President of Internal Competitions. The competitions are entirely student run, and also serve as the primary avenue for students to achieve Board membership. If you have questions about internal competitions or board membership, please Contact Us.
Hollingsworth LLP First-Year Mock Trial Competition
The GW Law Mock Trial Board is proud to continue its partnership with Hollingsworth LLP, one of the nation’s leading litigation firms, in hosting the Hollingsworth LLP First-Year Mock Trial Competition. First held in 2024, the competition has become an annual opportunity for first-year law students to develop their trial advocacy skills and gain hands-on courtroom experience.
The competition’s preliminary rounds are traditionally held at a local courthouse, with subsequent rounds taking place on the GW Law campus. In preparation for the final day of competition, semifinalist teams are paired with experienced Hollingsworth LLP attorneys who serve as coaches and provide guidance as the teams refine their trial strategies. The competition culminates in a final round at Hollingsworth LLP’s Washington, D.C., office, where the firm’s attorneys serve as judges in its state-of-the-art simulation moot courtroom, pictured below.
The competition is open exclusively to GW Law first-year students, who compete in teams of four. Each team receives a comprehensive case packet and prepares to try both sides of the case. During each round, two team members serve as attorneys while the other two serve as witnesses, with roles alternating between sides of the case. Each team is also assigned an upper-level student coach who helps competitors develop a cohesive case theory, understand the structure and procedures of a mock trial competition, and organize scrimmages against other teams. Student coaches are members of the Mock Trial Board who typically have completed coursework in evidence and trial advocacy or gained experience competing in external trial tournaments. Throughout the competition, additional tip sessions and office hours provide competitors with further opportunities to refine their skills and prepare for each round.
Cohen & Cohen Upper-Level Mock Trial Competition
The GW Law Mock Trial Board is proud to continue its partnership with Cohen & Cohen, one of the nation’s leading personal injury law firms, in hosting the Cohen & Cohen Upper-Level Mock Trial Competition. Held annually during the fall semester, the competition provides upper-level law students with an opportunity to develop their trial advocacy skills, gain practical courtroom experience, and compete for membership on the GW Law Mock Trial Board.
As GW Law’s on-campus mock trial competition for upper-level students, Cohen & Cohen offers competitors an immersive introduction to the demands of trial practice. Students compete in teams of four, preparing and presenting both sides of a case in a simulated courtroom setting. Competitors must demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental skills of trial advocacy, including case theory development, opening statements, witness examination, and closing arguments. Students may register individually, with a partner, or as a full team of four.
Throughout the competition, experienced litigators serve as judges, evaluating competitors on their oral advocacy, trial strategy, and overall performance. The competition culminates in a final round held in GW Law’s Burns Moot Court Room, providing finalists with the opportunity to showcase their skills in a formal courtroom setting before practicing attorneys.
The competition is offered for one academic credit. Competitors may also elect to enroll in an additional coaching course for a second academic credit. Through this add-on course, students are paired with experienced attorney-coaches who provide individualized instruction, feedback, and guidance as competitors prepare for the tournament. The coaching course offers a valuable opportunity to refine trial strategy, strengthen courtroom presentation, and learn directly from practicing attorneys.
Previous Hollingsworth Winners
Previous Cohen & Cohen Winners
2026
Matthew Connor, James Dewar, William Ott, Christopher Miner
2025
Lauren Dorn, Jenna Thakkar, Jishan Ahmed, Joshua John
2024
Bianca Abbate, Samantha Christian, Hayley Chafin, and Abbi Burgess
2026
TBD
2025
Jake Temkin, Reema Jadhav