UC Law SF Intercollegiate Trial Team Wins National Competition
From left: Chloe Koehler, Angelyn Armistead, Lily Loftis, and Maya Lescano represented UC Law SF in the Gold Cup Mock Trial competition. They took home the national championship after fierce rounds of competition against law schools from across the nation.
- Four UC Law SF students on the Intercollegiate Trial Team took home the national and California championship at the Gold Cup Mock Trial Competition.
- Their experience in Trial Team sets them up to successfully advocate for clients.
- Alumni and donors make the Trial Team stronger by supporting students through coaching and making gifts.
UC Law San Francisco’s Intercollegiate Trial Team won a national championship at the Gold Cup Mock Trial competition. The Oct. 16-19 competition, which took place in Sacramento, featured interactive court proceedings and brought together law students from across the nation.
UC Law SF 2Ls Lily Loftis and Angelyn Armistead, together with 3Ls Chloe Koehler and Maya Lescano, won the California championship before advancing to win the national title by defeating Loyola University Chicago’s Law School.
Koehler was recognized as a top advocate following the preliminary rounds, and Lescano earned the highest score of the advocates in the final round.
“They were strong, intelligent, confident, and polished beyond belief,” said Geoffrey Hansen, director of the Trial Team and Trial Advocacy Curriculum. “They once again established our program as a true powerhouse team in the country, and we could not be more proud of the four of them.”
A tournament team is typically composed of four students, two of whom represent the plaintiff or prosecution side of the topic and two of whom represent the defense. They work together for weeks in advance to prepare for competitions.
“Everyone on the team is incredibly smart, dedicated, and supportive, and I’ve learned so much from each of them,” Armistead said. “They’ve not only helped me grow as a competitor, but they’re also teaching me what it really means to be a great attorney in real life.”
A Team That Prepares Students for Success
UC Law SF’s Trial Team members receive two units of academic credit each semester and receive intense training in evidence, trial advocacy, and trial ethics. Students can expect to leave the program with complete command of the nature and nuances of trial preparation and courtroom advocacy.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie recognized the team members’ achievements, awarding each of them a certificate of honor.
“There is not a practicing lawyer in any courthouse anywhere that could have been better than our Gold Cup team,” said Hansen. “This is a truly remarkable success for both these four women and the program.”
The students said their experience in Trial Team will make them confident, successful advocates for future clients.
“Trial Team has taught me how to think on my feet, trust my instincts, and advocate with purpose. Those are the exact skills I’ll rely on every day as a public defender,” Koehler said.
Loftis said the team has taught her to think on her feet on behalf of a client.
“I have always wanted to be a trial attorney and being a part of that team has gotten me one step closer,” she said. “There is something to be said about the skill of resiliency that you gain while competing. Sometimes things don’t go as you expected, but you learn to brush yourself off, move forward, and continue to advocate for your client. Practicing this has made me a better person, student, and advocate.”
Supporting Talented Students is a Winning Formula
Trial Team alumni frequently give back by helping current students prepare for competitions. Emily Stover ’17 served as the primary coach for the Gold Cup competition. “She worked countless hours with the students to get them ready,” said Hansen. “She is a brilliant coach.”
Chitra Kulkarni ’24, Michael Li ’25, LaJeanne Shelton ’25, Andrew MacDonald ’23, and Sarah Potter ’11 also dedicated their time and effort to coaching the winning team.
UC Law SF donors also help the Trial Team reach new heights. Roger Dreyer ’80 and Carol Wieckowski Dreyer ’79 recently provided $450,000 in additional gifts to support the Trial Team and fund a scholarship program for its members. The gift was among the initial announcements in support of UC Law SF’s Into the Future campaign.
“Donor support will ensure that more students can receive this invaluable experience, receive high-quality mentorship, and step into their careers ready to represent clients with skill and compassion,” Lescano said.
Help propel the next generation of advocates into the future by making a gift.