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AUWCL Mock Trial Team Wins Two National Titles and Three Best Advocate Awards in Historic Weekend Victory

A first for AUWCL— students sweep two major national competitions this weekend.

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The American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) Mock Trial Team made history over the weekend, capturing two national titles and earning three Best Advocate awards in an extraordinary display of skill, preparation, and teamwork.

St. John's team from left to right: Peter James Johnson, Jr. (son of competition eponym), London Henderson (3L), Angelica Afanador (2L), Justice David J. Kirschner (Queens County Supreme Court), Hannah Hofmann (3L), and Ruth Chi (2L)
St. John's team from left to right: Peter James Johnson, Jr. (son of competition eponym), London Henderson (3L), Angelica Afanador (2L), Justice David J. Kirschner (Queens County Supreme Court), Hannah Hofmann (3L), and Ruth Chi (2L)

“This is a first for WCL—and possibly a first for any law school in the country,” said Cynthia Goode Works, director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program and advisor to the LL.M. in Trial Advocacy. “I am so  proud of our students and excited about this achievement!”

At the 2025 National Trial Competition hosted by Syracuse University College of Law, AUWCL’s championship team included:  Katharine Cuneo (3L), Zachary Buckler (2L), Evangelia Gavrilos (2L), and Samuel Mercer (2L). Competing among twelve law schools—and dominated from start to finish, winning every ballot in the preliminary rounds and advancing to the final matchup against top-ranked Stetson University College of Law, where they prevailed to claim the national title.

In addition to winning the national title, AUWCL students swept individual honors. Katharine Cuneo  and Evangelia Gavrilos tied for the honor of  Best Advocate in the preliminary round. And Ms. Gavrilos was named Best Advocate in the final round of competition.
 

Syracuse team from left to right: Zachary Buckler (2L), Katharine Cuneo (3L), Evangelia Gavrilos (2L), and Samuel Mercer (2L)
Syracuse team from left to right: Zachary Buckler (2L), Katharine Cuneo (3L), Evangelia Gavrilos (2L), and Samuel Mercer (2L)

The Syracuse team credited their success to the collective support of the Mock Trial Honor Society, their coaches: Adjunct Professor Cristina Hillyer, Adjunct Professor Judge Karen Ferretti and Carol Marand (WCL '24); and the support of Advocacy Program Director and Adjunct Professor Cynthia Goode Works (WCL '92), Associate Program Director and Adjunct Professor Stephanie L. Johnson, Adjunct Professor Albert Herring, Laura Rose, McKenzie "Micki" Ehrhardt (WCL '21), and Veronica Roitberg (WCL '25), contributions of Kevin Botros (WCL ’24), Harrison Grant (WCL ’24), and Cole Metcalfe (WCL ’24)