For decades, the Broun National Trial Team (BNTT) has provided the students of Carolina Law an unparalleled opportunity to develop and showcase their trial advocacy skills.
Carefully selected and trained, BNTT members compete annually in several of the most competitive and well-recognized mock trial tournaments across the country, including the Texas Young Lawyer’s Association’s National Trial Competition and the American Association for Justice’s Student Trial Advocacy Competition. At these tournaments, teams of students simulate jury trials by presenting each side of a civil or criminal case against teams from other schools. Students argue motions, examine witnesses, and deliver opening and closing statements before panels of practicing judges and trial attorneys who provide feedback after each round of competition. Students also meet and work with professors and attorneys in preparation for each competition.
Dedicated to providing similar opportunities throughout the Carolina community, BNTT is known for sponsoring trial advocacy events within and beyond the halls of Van Hecke-Wettach. Every year, BNTT hosts the Kilpatrick Townsend 1L Mock Trial Tournament, a well-known 1L tradition attended by hundreds of first year students from almost every North Carolina law school. For the past two years, BNTT has partnered with UNC’s Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy to simulate a jury trial with graduate students enrolled in a medical malpractice litigation course. BNTT also hosted the 2014 National Trial Competition Regional Tournament in Durham.
All BNTT members receive course credit for their participation on the team. Additionally, 2L members are automatically registered for both Evidence and Trial Advocacy, two popular courses in which enrollment is competitive.
Students at Carolina Law may become members of the BNTT by successfully competing in a multi-round Tryout Competition held during the spring semester of their first year. All 1Ls are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Previous mock trial experience is not required, and the competition is designed to be meaningful for all participants.
Any questions regarding the Broun National Team Trial should be directed to uncmocktrial@gmail.com.