The 2026 James J. Hippard Novice Mock Trial Competition will be held in person on February 20th – 22nd.
DATES FOR THE 2025 JAMES J. HIPPARD NOVICE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION
Learning Session: February 2nd at Noon
Registration: February 3rd at 9AM ~ February 5th 11:59PM
Fact Pattern Released: February 6th
Prepare Your Case: February 6th ~ February 20th
Skills Workshop: February 12th @ noon in Room 220
Competition: Friday February 20th to Sunday, February 22nd
Turn in Assignment: March 1st.
Tentative Competition Schedule
Friday, February 20th, Rounds at 1 PM & 6 PM [ALL TEAMS]
Saturday, February 21st, Rounds at 9 AM [ALL TEAMS] & 2 PM [Quarter-final, 8 Teams]
Sunday, February 22nd, Rounds at 9 AM [Semi-final, 4 Teams] & 1 PM [Final, 2 Teams]
WITNESS AND PARTNER SEARCH
If you are looking for a partner or witnesses, put your information on this spreadsheet.
LEARNING LUNCH RECORDING & SLIDES (click or see below)
HOW TO SIGN UP
Step 1
Pay for your team on PayPal, and save your confirmation number. There are 3 payment options: (1) $20 if both team members are also Advocates members, (2) $100 if both team members are non-Advocates members, or (3) $60 for half and half.
Please note in the payment for the names of each teammate and “Hippard Novice Mock Trial Competition”
Step 2
Fill out this Google Form.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The Advocates host two James J. Hippard Mock Trial competitions during the academic year: the Hippard Open (in the Fall Semester) and the Hippard Novice (in the Spring Semester).
A Hippard Mock Trial Competition Team is composed of two UHLC students who prepare and argue the case for both sides, including opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments. Each team must also recruit witnesses to provide the live testimony. Competition rounds are judged by volunteers from the Houston legal community, who frequently offer competitors feedback at the end of their rounds to help them improve their skills. Teams are scored on their Motion In Limine, opening statements, direct & cross examinations, closing arguments, objections, courtroom presence, and demeanor.
HIPPARD NOVICE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY (Spring Semester)
Any UHLC student who is in their first year of study (e.g. 1Ls or F.L.L.M.s in their first year).
COURSE CREDIT & PRIZES
UHLC students can earn 1 hour of non-substantive competition credit by (1) making a good-faith effort in the Competition and (2) completing and timely submitting the writing assignment for the Competition that is described in the Competition Rules.
Click here to complete a Competition Credit Petition.
The Competition Teams that advance to the Final Round may receive a cash prize. The Best Speaker in the Final Round of each competition will also be recognized.
Tournament Format
The tournament will be conducted in-person and have a limited amount of teams, consisting of 2 advocates and 2 volunteer witnesses. No person who has achieved a juris doctorate, or its equivalent, or has/is been a member of a law school mock trial team, may act as a witness for any competitor. The round will have pretrial motions, opening statements, direct examinations, cross-examinations, and closing statements. You are required to dress in professional business attire. Competitors must check in 30 minutes before the round begins, so that they may address any questions or concerns they have prior to the round.
INFORMATION SESSION
The information session will go over a general overview of the rules of evidence, spotting objections, opening statements, direct/cross-examinations, closing statements, trial decorum, zoom decorum, and any other questions that competitors may have. The goal of the information session is to provide competitors with an understanding of advocacy in the trial setting.
MORE INFORMATION
Do you have questions or need more information? Email Sarah Overcash, Director of the Hippard Novice Mock Trial Competition.
FINAL ROUND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
We kindly ask that you arrive on time, exercise proper zoom etiquette, and remain camera off and muted during the stream. Below is the recording of the final round from the 2026 competition. Please note it was recorded using Panopto Software, which has an automated tracking feature that is not in the control of The Advocates.
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/d2ApXwR-4Dy-inOyDb3ftP-0UFuWCquI1SQNHTAsu-l5awAHfWoaEz73-_20uzX2.bs_ecNXnaOgpryOz?startTime=1771788564000
Passcode: 8E5p7Ki&