St. Thomas University Wins Second Consecutive Mock Trial Competition
News related to:St. Thomas University College of Law · 2 min read
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 10, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- St. Thomas University College of Law secured first place for the second consecutive year at the 30th Annual Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition, held on November 8. The competition, which saw 14 teams from law schools across Florida participate, was hosted by the Florida Justice Association Research & Education Foundation.
The St. Thomas University team, comprising Gabriella Martinez, Samantha Swartz, Bernice Machado, and Chase Freeman, triumphed in the final round against the Barry University School of Law team, earning a 3-2 verdict. The competition was presided over by Honorable Jay Cohen, a senior judge in the Ninth Circuit and the Sixth District Court of Appeal.
Gabriella Martinez was recognized as the Final Round Best Advocate for her exceptional performance. Earlier in the competition, Juan Estevez from St. Thomas University was awarded the Best Advocate for the preliminary rounds. Additionally, Bella Tambornino from the University of Miami School of Law was honored with the inaugural Best Witness title.
The mock trial competition, now in its 30th year, is a testament to the dedication of the legal community. Participating law schools included Barry University School of Law, Cooley Law School, Florida International University College of Law, Florida State University College of Law, Jacksonville University College of Law, Nova Southeastern University College of Law, St. Thomas University College of Law, and the University of Miami School of Law.
The event underscores the importance of practical courtroom experience in legal training. Wayne Hogan, a Jacksonville attorney, founded the competition 30 years ago with a commitment to advancing legal education. His $250,000 donation, matched by the state's Matching Gift Program, established the $375,000 endowment that has funded trial competitions, provided student stipends, and supported travel to competitions.
The Florida Justice Association Research & Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, continues to support the program. The Foundation's mission is to advance public understanding of Florida’s civil justice system and its vital role in protecting the rights of all Floridians. Through educational programs, research initiatives, leadership development, and law school outreach, the Foundation works to strengthen access to justice and prepare future generations of trial attorneys.
The 2026 Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition received support from dedicated law firms, including Gold Sponsors Fernandez Firm, Pajcic & Pajcic, and Holland Law, and Bronze Sponsor Waddell Law. The competition is a significant event in the legal community, offering law students practical courtroom experiences they cannot gain in a classroom setting.