Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law earned the number two position out of 123 trial advocacy programs in the Fall 2025 GAVEL Rankings. The recognition marks the program’s strongest competitive semester to date and places Drexel Kline within the closest national margin ever recorded between the first- and second-ranked schools.

The GAVEL Rankings evaluate law schools solely on performance in trial competitions, which means Drexel Kline’s placement reflects measurable, performance-based results rather than reputation-driven assessments. This fall, the team entered seven tournaments, advanced to the break rounds in all seven, won three tournaments and two national championships, including the First Chair National Championship. The team also reached three final rounds and remains the only law school nationwide to compete in three or more events and place in each. Students earned nine individual advocate awards, the highest total the program has recorded in a single semester.

The First Chair National Championship stood out as a defining moment of the fall term. The tournament features some of the strongest advocacy programs in the country and requires each school to field its top advocates and coaches. Drexel Kline secured the title after a closely contested final round against Baylor, demonstrating its advocates’ preparation, adaptability and courtroom poise under significant pressure. For a program now in its 15th year, winning one of the nation’s most selective tournaments underscores the effectiveness of Drexel’s experiential training model.

Drexel Kline’s results also highlight the law school’s broader approach to hands-on advocacy learning. The program benefits from full-time faculty dedicated to advocacy instruction, an active alumni coaching network and institutional support that enables students to train and compete at a national level. This fall, Drexel hosted two major tournaments—Battle of the Experts and The Premiere—which brought 20 visiting teams to campus and offered additional opportunities for student development. Case files authored at Drexel were also selected for use at competitions across the country, extending the law school’s influence and reinforcing its commitment to shaping high-quality advocacy training.

“This ranking reflects the work and commitment of every advocate and coach in the program,” said Professor Phil Pasquarello, director of trial advocacy. “Our students prepared at a high level, competed ethically and supported one another. Their consistency across all seven tournaments shows who we are as a program and the standard we aim to uphold.”