The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law’s Thurgood Marshall Trial Team placed first, second, and third at the National Black Law Students Association Mid-Atlantic Region’s Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, Feb. 17-18, winning all of the mock trial advocacy awards of the competition. Additionally, team captain Jadeite Javier ’25 won the Best Defense Advocate award for the competition.
Part of the National Black Law Students Association annual Mid-Atlantic convention, this year in Baltimore, the regional competition took place at the Renaissance Hotel at the Inner Harbor. The sweep qualifies three of Maryland Carey Law’s teams to go on to nationals, in which they will compete against the top three teams from each of the six regional matchups. The national competition will take place in Houston, Texas, March 6-10 during the National Black Law Students Association annual national convention.
Advocates were evaluated on their overall courtroom presence, command of the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, teamwork, and timeliness and accuracy of objections. Each trial lasted approximately four and a half hours and simulated a criminal trial proceeding with opening statements, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, and closing arguments.
Lead by team captains Chikezie Aguocha ’25 and Jadeite Javier ’25, Maryland Carey Law's winning teams are:
1st Place Team
- Chikezie (Chike) Aguocha ’25
- Zoe Strahan ’25
- Vanessa Dillard ’25
- Elena Gurau ’25
2nd Place Team
- Chantel Williams ’25
- Chandini Ramaiah ’25
- Jordyn Garcia ’25
- Thomas Quinlan Murphy ’25
3rd Place team
- Elizabeth Alfonso ’24
- Katherine Delgado Licona ’25
- Queen Nwangwu ’24
- Isaac De La Cruz ’24
“I'm extremely grateful to God, my entire team, coaches, and the BLSA community for their support,” said Aguocha. “All the teams fought hard, and I was proud to represent Maryland Carey Law's Thurgood Marshall Trial Team as we took home first place at this year's MABLSA regional competition. As we prepare for the upcoming NBLSA national competition, I look forward to strengthening my advocacy skills and making memories with my amazing team members.”
The Thurgood Marshall Trial Team experience is a 2-credit performance- and presentation-based course, covering the mechanics of trials with a focus on preparation for interscholastic trial advocacy competitions. Enrollment is by permission from the professor. Students qualify based on a tryout.
Adjunct professors Derrick Milburn ′13 and Sakkara Turpin ′14 teach and coach the team. Milburn, the head coach, is an attorney at the Department of Homeland Security. Turpin is a conflicts attorney at Paul Hastings LLP.
Assistant coaches include Tamia Morris ’23, an associate with Gordon Feinblatt; Tayler Littlejohn ’23, a clerk with the Appellate Court of Maryland; and Samuel Kebede ’23, a clerk with the Supreme Court of Maryland.
“Our victory was truly a team effort,” said Milburn, reflecting on the continued success of the Thurgood Marshall Trial Team, now in its 16th year. Milburn credits support from "faculty, BLSA alumni, fellow students, and members of the bar who all graciously volunteered their time and efforts to support our students.”