University of Arizona Law Trial Team Again Lands at Nationals

One of University of Arizona Law’s Barry Davis National Trial Teams went undefeated in a regional tournament to earn a place in the National Trial Competition for the second consecutive year.
 
The team is composed of students Matt Ashton, Elizabeth Smiley, Jean Paul Barnard and alternate Alonzo Corral. In the final round, one judge gave the team a near-perfect score of 99 out of 100 possible points. Brian Chase ('11) who, along with Joel Feinman ('07), served as coach, said that is the highest score he has ever seen.
 
Ashton and Smiley also advanced to the national round in 2016. They are the first competitors from Arizona Law to earn repeat appearances at the National Trial Competition.

[Related: Learn about Arizona Law's Trial Advocacy program]
 
A second team of Mario Gonzales, Sara Levine, Jon Leitenberger, and alternate Levon Kantzabedian finished in the top eight, advancing to the regional’s semi-final round, where they lost narrowly to eventual regional winner Brigham Young University. The regional hosted 22 teams from 11 law schools.
 
Arizona Law will face the top 28 teams in the country at the national competition March 22-26 in Fort Worth, Texas.
 
Support the Barry Davis National Trial Team
 
In 2016 Arizona Law created an endowment fund in honor of Barry Davis, who worked as a trial lawyer for nearly four decades. During that time, he forged a stellar track record as an extraordinary advocate. Davis's passion for "lawyering" and championing for his clients was matched only by his impeccable ethics, quality reputation amongst his peers, and deep respect for his profession. Barry was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and was part of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
 
Funds from this new endowment supported the Barry Davis National Trial Teams' attendance at the regional competition for the first time this year and will support them at nationals.