St. Thomas University College of Law Makes Elite Mock Trial Debut

Event summary

  • St. Thomas University College of Law received its first-ever invitation to the Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition in April 2026.
  • The invitation follows a record 2025-26 academic year where the school's trial team won three competitions and reached the finals of the National Trial Competition.
  • Top Gun is an invitation-only event featuring 16 top trial advocacy programs, requiring single advocates to prepare cases within 24 hours.
  • Dean Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro called the invitation a 'tremendous honor' and sign of the program's growing national standing.

The big picture

This invitation solidifies St. Thomas University College of Law's rise in the competitive landscape of legal education. While still a regional player, its rapid progression in national mock trial competitions suggests it's challenging traditional hierarchies in legal training. The school's strategic focus on trial advocacy could position it as a disruptive force in Florida's legal education market, particularly as it expands its facilities under President David Armstrong's 'Pursue Excellence' vision.

What we're watching

Program Growth
Whether St. Thomas can sustain this momentum and establish itself as a consistent Top Gun competitor.
Recruitment Impact
How this elite recognition affects student recruitment and faculty development at the College of Law.
National Standing
The pace at which St. Thomas can close the perception gap with long-established trial advocacy powerhouses.