ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Each year, the San Diego Defense Lawyers host a national law school mock trial competition providing future trial lawyers an incredible opportunity to present both the plaintiff and defense sides of a civil case in San Diego Superior Court before local members of the bench and bar. Awards are given to the first and second place teams as well as to the highest-scoring individuals for best opening statement, best direct examination, best cross-examination, best closing argument, and best overall attorney.
Registration is open
Fourteen teams, $650 per team. Closes August 28, 2026, or when all spots are filled.
2026 Competition Details
Dates
November 5 to 7, 2026
Location
San Diego Central Courthouse
100 Union St., San Diego, CA 92101
Check in on the first floor
100 Union St., San Diego, CA 92101
Check in on the first floor
Round 1
Thursday, November 5 at 5:30 PM
Round 2
Friday, November 6 at 5:30 PM
Semi-Final Rounds
Saturday, November 7 at 9:00 AM
Championship Round
Saturday, November 7 at 1:00 PM
Award Banquet
Saturday, November 7 at 8:30 PM, location to be announced
Registration
Open until August 28, 2026, or until all spots are filled
Registration Fee
$650 per team
Fact Pattern
Emailed to participants and available to download from September 4, 2026
Contact
Taryn Perez
Mock Trial Committee Chair
tperez@pbllplaw.com
Fourteen teams, four students per team. Each student serves as an attorney on one side and a witness on the other.
Only one team per school is guaranteed. Second teams are accommodated where possible, and refunded if they cannot be.
RESOURCES - COMING SOON
COMPETITION RESULTS
2025
🏆 1st Place — Southwestern Law School: Evelyn Aguilar, Zack Castorina, Alexi Ezdrin, Laura Kato
🥈 2nd Place — Southwestern Law School: Alexandria Alcala, Miranda Hughes, Nicholas Karkanen, Kristiana Varela
2024
🏆 1st Place — Southwestern Law School: Chinonso Anokwute, Julianna Montano, David Olmedo-Barrera, Natalie Parsi
🥈 2nd Place — To be confirmed
2023
🏆 1st Place — Southwestern Law School: Colleen Blackburn, Michelle Schaubert, Morgan Shafia, Rosemary Karapetyan
🥈 2nd Place — Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law: Parker Dippel, Anastasia "Staci" Vaughn, McKenna Hunter, Adam Bixby
🏆 1st Place — Southwestern Law School: Evelyn Aguilar, Zack Castorina, Alexi Ezdrin, Laura Kato
🥈 2nd Place — Southwestern Law School: Alexandria Alcala, Miranda Hughes, Nicholas Karkanen, Kristiana Varela
2024
🏆 1st Place — Southwestern Law School: Chinonso Anokwute, Julianna Montano, David Olmedo-Barrera, Natalie Parsi
🥈 2nd Place — To be confirmed
2023
🏆 1st Place — Southwestern Law School: Colleen Blackburn, Michelle Schaubert, Morgan Shafia, Rosemary Karapetyan
🥈 2nd Place — Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law: Parker Dippel, Anastasia "Staci" Vaughn, McKenna Hunter, Adam Bixby
PHOTOS
2025 — Winners & Judges
Congratulations to Southwestern Law School, winners of the 2025 SDDL Annual Mock Trial Competition. Pictured with Judge Medel, Judge So, and Doug Glass from Signature Resolution.
|
2023 — 1st Place Winners
Southwestern Law School: Colleen Blackburn, Michelle Schaubert, Morgan Shafia, and Rosemary Karapetyan.
|