About CWRU mock trial

What is Mock Trial?

Mock Trial is exactly what it sounds like. Students from over 600 teams across the country get together and act like lawyers and witnesses in a trial. Each year, the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) crafts a case, alternating between civil and criminal, complete with statutes, case law, witnesses, and exhibits. Students, with the help of their coaches, develop a case theory and craft a strategy to present it in competition.

In the fall, teams compete at invitational tournaments to test their theories and witness lineups, train new members, and learn from other programs. In the spring, AMTA hosts a three-tier national tournament series: Regionals, the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS), and the National Championship Tournament. Every team begins at Regionals, but only the top teams advance to ORCS. From there, the top 48 teams in the country move on to Nationals to compete for the title of National Champion.

CWRU mock trial

Our goal for this season is, as always, to advance to the National Championship Tournament. 

Case Western Reserve University Mock Trial was founded in 2001. Since our founding, we have frequently advanced to ORCS. In 2011, 2021, and 2025 we advanced to the National Championship Tournament (NCT), on top of hosting the NCT here in Cleveland.

One of the things that makes Case Mock Trial truly special is the strong bond we form as a team. We spend countless hours practicing together during the week, then travel on weekends for competitions, sharing hotel rooms, wins, losses, and lots of memories. Those experiences build close-knit relationships that often last well beyond college.

Our alumni remain deeply involved in the program. Many return as coaches, others frequently judge at the Spartan Throwdown, and almost all are happy to offer advice and support. They’re an incredible resource, too; our alumni have gone on to become lawyers, doctors, engineers, accountants, professors, and more.