About Us

Group of team members hugging at counsel table during competition The UF Undergraduate Mock Trial Team, also known as “The LitiGators”, is a group of undergraduate students and coaches split up into competitive teams of 6-10 competitors. The LitiGators compete under the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA), going head-to-head against other universities from all across the United States.

Big group of LitiGator team members doing the Gator chomp with their arms at the Judge's bench

Although most members plan to attend law school after graduation, members learn skills applicable to every person, no matter their career ambitions. Members ultimately develop critical thinking, public speaking skills, and the ability to form rational oral arguments on demand. Involvement on the team also entails learning legal procedure and courtroom etiquette.

Since establishment in 2007, “The LitiGators” have quickly become a nationally-recognized name in the mock trial community. Over the last few years, the UF Mock Trial Team took home top finishes and a record number of individual awards from invitationals across the southeast , including second place at the Carolina Classic Invitational and first place at Tobacco Road.

Six team members smiling at counsel table with three attorneys sitting down and three witnesses standing behind them

The program had outstanding results at Regionals and the Opening Round Championship Series, where the LitiGators won first and second place, ultimately sending two teams to the National Championship in Minneapolis. Now, the UF Mock Trial team ranks among the top 25 teams in the entire country!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is UF Mock Trial?

Mock Trial is a competitive undergraduate organization wherein students compete all across the southeast in tournaments called “mock trials”. These mock trials are designed to simulate a real courtroom experience with students taking on the roles of attorneys and witnesses.

What does a typical season look like for the LitiGators?

While the UF Undergraduate Mock Trial Team is a very competitive program, we are also a team that loves to have fun and we strive to incorporate that philosophy each season. Every week the team has Sunday and Wednesday night practices along with traveling to tournaments about three times a semester.

Do you all travel for tournaments?

Yes! Traveling is one of the many amazing benefits of being on the team and in our program, we travel a quite frequently. Some of the most notable places the team has traveled to include: Nashville and Memphis Tennessee, Greenville and Spartanburg South Carolina, Tallahassee, Durham in North Carolina, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and more.

If you don’t have mock trial experience, can you still join?

Yes! You do not need any prior experience to join the team. The program will teach you everything you need to know, so do not worry if you do not have mock trial experience. In fact, over 80% of our team members did not have mock trial experience before joining the team.

What are the benefits of being on the team?

There are a multitude of benefits to becoming a LitiGator. Finding a community on campus, meeting new people and creating everlasting friendships, strengthening your professional development as well as public speaking skills, traveling to new states and cities across the U.S. for tournaments, and networking with real lawyers and judges in the community, are just some of the many benefits to joining the team.

Do you have to pay to be a member of the team?

You do not have to pay any kind of dues or fee to be on the team and compete. All travel, tournament, and hotel expenses are covered per competitor, so none of our members have to pay for their spot on the team.