Photo l-r: Suzanne Salsbury ’73, Micaela Ramos Murno ’28, Brenna Girard ’28 (Best Advocate), Judge Marnell Cooper’02, Rivkah Bunes ’28 (Runner-Up Best Advocate), Hannah Greenberg ’28, Stuart Salsbury ’71
The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law held the final round of the 2026 Salsbury Trial Advocacy Tournament on April 15. The tournament serves as the tryout process for the law school’s highly esteemed National Trial Team, which, this year, won three championships and placed at six different national competitions.
After two preliminary rounds, 16 first-year students earned spots on the team. Of those 16, the four top scorers, Rivkah Bunes, Brenna Girard, Hannah Greenberg, and Micaela Ramos Murno, had the honor of competing in the finals for the coveted Best Advocate award.
The four students displayed their advocacy skills arguing a case involving a former “Survivor”-style reality show contestant whose leg was amputated following an injury on the show. The plaintiff was suing the production’s medical director for gross negligence. Greenberg and Bunes acted as counsel for the plaintiff, while Murno and Girard argued for the defense. Competitors offered opening and closing statements, examined witnesses, and stood up for objections.
Lending authenticity to the proceedings was the presiding judge, the Hon. Marnell Cooper ’02, who is an associate judge on the District Court for Baltimore City.
Additionally, advocates argued before a “jury” of former National Trial Team members, who scored the presentations. Members of the current team played witnesses for the plaintiff and defense.
After closing arguments, Judge Cooper, who was a member of the National Trial Team in his law school days, offered encouraging feedback to the competitors.
“I know it’s hard to believe right now,” said the jurist, “but you are further along than many young lawyers practicing.”
The Best Advocate award went to Brenna Girard. Rivkah Bunes came in second as runner-up.
“Winning Best Advocate is an incredible honor and is one I share with my coaches and co-counsel who supported me every step of the way,” said Girard, who was captain of the mock trial team at Lafayette College before coming to law school. “This experience was a great opportunity to build relationships, which I am excited to continue growing on Trial Team in the years ahead.”
In opening remarks, Maryland Carey Law Dean Renée Laurent expressed gratitude to Stuart Salsbury ’71 and Suzanne Salsbury ’73, both of whom were in attendance, for their generous gift, which enabled the law school to launch the tournament in 2023. She also thanked and congratulated Salsbury Director of Trial Advocacy Ben Garmoe ’16, whose full-time position at the law school is supported by the Salsbury gift. The evening after the tournament, Garmoe was recognized with Maryland Carey Law’s Rising Star Award for exemplary contributions of service and leadership at the 2026 Alumni Honors Banquet.
“This tournament may only be in its fourth year,” added Laurent, “but it has quickly become a cherished tradition at Maryland Carey Law.”