Campbell Law advocates compete in first King of the Hill National Trial Competition

For the first time, Campbell Law sent a team to compete in the inaugural King of the Hill National Trial Competition, hosted by American University’s Washington College of Law. The competition was held virtually from Oct. 7-10, 2021.

The King of the Hill National Trial Competition is the only trial competition in the country in which each school is guaranteed to compete in seven preliminary trial rounds, all bench trials, organizers said.

Second-year law students Jacob Byrd, Christian Lunghi, Sarah Mills and Dani Murphy represented Campbell Law in the competition. The team was coached by Campbell Law alumna Brittany Stiltner ’16.

In addition to being the only mock trial competition in the country that hosts seven preliminary rounds, King of the Hill also adds another competitive aspect: Coaches are permitted to speak to their student advocates to coach during breaks in the trials of the first six preliminary rounds. Beginning with preliminary round seven (and extending to the semi-final and final rounds), coaches are forbidden from communicating with their student advocates once the trial begins.

“To successfully complete a total of seven preliminary rounds requires tenacity, preparation and dedication,” explained Tatiana Terry, director of Campbell Law’s Competitive Advocacy Program. Terry added, “Lucky for us, these are all characteristics our Advocacy Program tries to teach each of our student advocates.”