University of Arizona Law’s Barry Davis National Trial Team Once Again Heading to Nationals

For the third year in a row, one of University of Arizona Law’s Barry Davis National Trial Teams has won regionals and is heading to the National Trial Competition. Each year more than 300 teams from around the country compete for a spot in the national competition, with fewer than 10 percent advancing past regionals. 

The winning team, who went nearly undefeated through the competition, includes students Sasha Charls, Hanees Haniffa, Kristian Garibay and alternate Will Vitkus.

The returning regional champions from last year, Matthew Ashton and Jean Paul Barnard, also competed, with Ashton earning the third place top attorney award out of more than 50 students competing in the regional.

“These students have cemented the reputation of Arizona Law as the best team in the region, as no other school has won the region as often,” said Barbara Bergman, director of advocacy. 

The team, coached by Brian Laird and Brian Chase, will begin practicing the new case for nationals and heads to Austin, Texas on April 4 to compete against the top teams in the nation.