Law School Hosts Tournament of Champions

The Duquesne University School of Law hosted 16 of the best trial moot court programs in the nation this weekend at the prestigious National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) 2010 Tournament of Champions. The most elite trial competition in the country, the NITA Tournament was held from Oct. 27-30.

The Chicago-Kent College of Law defeated the University of Maryland School of Law in the sixth and final round, and was named national champion. Duquesne law school finished sixth overall after being eliminated in the fourth round of the event. Law student Keaton Carr received the best advocate award for the tournament’s preliminary round.

The invitation-only tournament was held at the federal courthouse on Grant Street. Invitations to participate are based on a school’s three-year performance record at the National Trial Competition and the American Trial Lawyers Association National Student Trial Advocacy Competition, and performances at previous Tournament of Champions competitions. The 16 trial teams compete head-to-head for three days before more than 150 judges consisting of members of the trial bench, the appellate bench and accomplished trial practitioners.

Duquesne’s School of Law was invited to compete in the Tournament of Champions for the first time in 2008 and took the top prize, as well as the honor of hosting the event this past weekend.

Other participants in the Tournament of Champions included Suffolk University Law School; Syracuse University College of Law; Cumberland School of Law, Samford University; Loyola University Chicago School of Law; Temple University Beasley School of Law; Loyola Law School Los Angeles; Stetson University College of Law; University of Akron School of Law; Washington University School of Law in St. Louis; University of Kentucky College of Law; Baylor Law School; University of New Mexico School of Law; and University of Wisconsin School of Law.