Student Trial Advocacy Competition (STAC)
First held in 1980, AAJ’s Student Trial Advocacy Competition is an annual nationwide law student mock trial competition.
2026 STAC Champions
Congratulations to the 2026 STAC National Champions, Beau Marlette, Caroline Shabet, Haydn Bauer, and Mikenna Morrison. Campbell won the Columbia Regional and went on to defeat UCLA School of Law in the National Finals, held in New Orleans March 26-29.
Beau Marlette was awarded the Best Advocate Award in the National Final Round.
Thank you to all the students, coaches, judges, and volunteers who made 2026 STAC a success!
2026 Competition Recap
The Regional Tournaments were held March 5-8 with both in-person and virtual regions.
The National Finals were held in person March 26-29 in New Orleans, LA.
STAC Firm Sponsorship Program
WHY SPONSOR?
To help us continue to hold this competition and shape the future generation of trial lawyers—and to showcase you and your firm’s support of the STAC—please consider becoming a sponsor of the Student Trial Advocacy Competition.
All sponsors will receive the following:
- Recognition on our STAC page on the AAJ Website
- Recognition in a "thank you" post on social media (AAJ Facebook page and LinkedIn)
- Name and firm listed on signage to be displayed at registration for all regional competitions and national finals
CONTRIBUTORS
- Janet Janet & Suggs
SPONSORS
- Danielle Ward Mason, Esq.
- Kastl Law, PC | Krisi Kastl
- Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger | Spencer Pahlke
committed volunteers and LAW STUDENT COMPETITORS make STAC a success year after year
Past National Champions
- 2026 – Campbell University Norman A. Wiggins School of Law
- 2025 – South Texas College of Law
- 2024 – Baylor University School of Law
- 2023 – University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
- 2022 – University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
- 2021 – University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
- 2020 – Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2019 – Campbell University Norman A. Wiggins School of Law
- 2018 – University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly University of California, Hastings)
- 2017 – Wake Forest University Law School
- 2016 – Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- 2015 – Stetson University College of Law
- 2014 – University of Akron School of Law
- 2013 – University of Notre Dame Law School
- 2012 – Cumberland School of Law Samford University
- 2011 – Duquesne University School of Law
- 2010 – University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
- 2009 – Stetson University College of Law
- 2008 – Cumberland School of Law Samford University
- 2007 – Baylor University School of Law
- 2006 – South Texas College of Law
- 2005 – Baylor University School of Law
- 2004 – University of Akron School of Law
- 2003 – University of Denver Sturm College of Law
- 2002 – Harvard Law School
- 2001 – Temple University Beasley School of Law
- 2000 – Cumberland School of Law Samford University
- 1999 – University of Texas School of Law
- 1998 – Temple University Beasley School of Law
- 1997 – University of Georgia School of Law
Winning the national championship was an incredible experience to have as a team and to learn, grow, and compete with our peers. I cannot recommend joining AAJ and participating in STAC enough. At AAJ's Annual Convention, getting to meet so many exceptional attorneys was beyond rewarding and educational. I sincerely hope that any law student considering becoming a plaintiff trial lawyer considers joining AAJ and learning about the amazing work, people, and goals that go into achieving justice.
AAJ is proud to partner with the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators (NALAE) to host STAC.
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AAJ has scholarships available for qualified law students, as well as scholarships for law students to attend AAJ Conventions.
EXPLORE SCHOLARSHIPS HEREAAJ Law School Chapters provide students with resources and opportunities to network and engage with AAJ members. Chapters invite local trial lawyers to speak about their practice areas, practical skills, and cases they have litigated. Students can network with member firms and participate in mentoring programs.
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