Your first step is to come to one of our mandatory info sessions on August 24th and 25th from 6-7pm at the Reitz Union Rion Ballroom. There you will see examples of the material we’ll ask to see from you for tryouts, you’ll get the actual packet to start making material with, and you’ll learn the next steps to becoming a LitiGator.

We recommend you try out as both an attorney and a witness (double the chances of making the team!) 

We can’t wait to see you there! 

You will break down the same case you’ll use all year if you make the team! 

Attorneys will craft and present an opening statement and a cross examination of one of the witnesses provided in the case packet. Attorneys will cross examine a current LitiGator. 
Witnesses will craft and present a direct examination of one of the witnesses and be cross examined as the same witness by a current LitiGator.

Congratulations! Once we finish every tryout, we’ll email a select group of people to move on to our Round 2 Tryouts! We’re looking for improvement this round so bring your best! You’ll schedule a slightly longer time slot and be asked to do your same material again, along with an short extemporaneous speech, and answer a couple questions from our panel of LitiGators. 

You’ll schedule a 15-minute block for either your attorney or witness tryout. 

Attorneys: Your opening statement should be 2-5 minutes. Your cross examination should be around 15-20 questions.

Witnesses: You’ll be given a shell of a direct examination with places for your to fill in the blanks, so just don’t go overboard with the amount of lines you’re adding and you won’t be overtime!

Attorneys: We’re looking for energy and performance! We understand that a majority of our new members don’t have mock trial experience so if you’re worried that you’re explaining the burden wrong, or can’t quite figure out a way to finish your opening statement, don’t worry! Confidence and variety will get you through! Bonus tip: Keep your cross examination questions close-ended!

Witnesses: Be memorized, confident, and fun! No matter if you’re playing a character or expert, there are places to show that you enjoy what you’re speaking about! Practice being comfortable in the chair. Confidence wins you points!

There are 3 types of witnesses we see in college mock trial!

Characters bring the ENERGY! Often the most fun in the round. They balance presenting facts with cracking jokes!

Experts are the “science-y” witness. They’re often a doctor or investigator who brings in a demonstrative to simplify their testimony for the jury

Sympathetics are usually close with the victim or are accused of wrongdoing. They use their sympathetic tone and facial expressions to win points!

You’ll have the ability to portray any of these 3 types at your tryout so SHOW OFF!

Travel for Free! We travel all across the country! Just this last year we went to D.C., Chicago, North + South Carolina, and Atlanta!

Socials! The team is a family! We have all different types of socials with the entire team and your individual semester team!

SO Rewarding! Gain confidence while learning trial advocacy, courtroom procedure, and how to perform!

AMTA (American Mock Trial Association) is the official college mock trial governing body! They put on a season of tournaments in the Spring.

Regionals: You compete against schools close by (we typically compete in Tallahassee or Atlanta!) You’re aiming for a “bid” to the next tournament (ORCS). 

ORCS: Nationals Qualifiers! Top 6 from Regionals compete against the Top 6 from nearby Regionals (typically held in Greenville, SC)

Nationals: Top 6 from every ORCS across the country compete in 2 divisions (48 teams!!) #RoadToPhoenix

We typically field 35-40 LitiGators in a given year. We field 4 teams of around 10 people each led by 1-2 captains and 1-2 coaches. Captains are high-level competitors and leaders on the team and should be used as a resource for new members!

We have 3 “seasons”: Fall, Winter, & Spring!

Fall is for development and learning, Winter is when competition starts to ramp up, and Spring wraps up our year!

Practice is typically twice a week, usually Wednesday @ 7:30 and Sunday @ 6.

Practice goes as long as the team needs, but the university computers and room reservations tend to be our enemies.

Our nights consist of looking at new material, reviewing old material, and sometimes scrimmages (with LitiGators or other teams on the circuit).

You’ll be on a team with around 10 people, so time flies, especially when we’re having fun!

Coaching! We’re a student run organization. We have coaches that help and advise us but at the end of the day, we make the decisions!

Witnesses! We get a variety of witnesses to pick and choose from for our case, which leads to an INFINITE amount of possible theories.

Timeline! As a LitiGator, you’re competing up to 8-9 times a year, often with the same case packet (around 300 pages!)