For the fourth consecutive year, members of the Trial Team were crowned regional champions in the prestigious Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition.

3Ls Phil Pasquarello, Jess Falkenstein and Najah Jacobs will advance to the national competition in Austin, Texas April 4-8.

Pasquarello was named the Best Advocate in the Final Round for the second consecutive year, in a competition that included all of the law schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Professor Gwen Stern, director of the Trial Advocacy program, said that students Robert Abernethy and Alisa DiPietro also performed "brilliantly."

All of the students were coached by Professor Justin Bernstein, associate director of the Trial Advocacy program, and attorney Ellis Palividas.

Stern said the victory is an affirmation of the students’ and coaches’ hard work and dedication.

“It’s thrilling to see such great teamwork,” Stern said. “This never gets old.”  

The law school has been ranked #6 in the U.S. for Trial Team performance in a ranking published by Fordham University School of Law.  The Trial Advocacy program has been ranked #15 in the nation by U.S. News.