For the 2025-2026 academic year, Syracuse University College of Law will once again host five different intercollegiate advocacy competitions. In hosting these competitions, which range from traditional in-person experiences to unique virtual tournaments, across a range of advocacy-related fields, Syracuse Law hopes to create impactful learning opportunities for students throughout the country. Information regarding each competition can be found below.
The National Military Trial Competition (NMTC), hosted by Syracuse University College of Law, introduces law students interested in Military Justice and the Judge Advocate General’s Corps to the trial process in military courts. The competition brings together eight teams to compete in a case involving a military court-martial, tried under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the Rules for Courts-Martial (RCM). Teams argue both sides of the case, serving as Trial Counsel (Prosecutor) and Trial Defense Service (TDS) attorneys. Each team is guaranteed four rounds of competition, with rounds potentially judged by current or former Military Trial Judges.
The first-of-its-kind Syracuse Deposition Competition (SDC) fills a training void in legal academia by providing students with a unique platform to expand their arsenal of practical skills. Participants gain invaluable insight through simulated real-world experience to enhance critical skills for conducting and defending depositions.
The Syracuse National Trial Competition (SNTC) is an invitational tournament for ABA-accredited law schools, showcasing top advocacy programs from across the country. Designed to develop and highlight trial skills, the competition features student-led opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments, judged by esteemed members of the bench and bar. Individual performance awards are also presented.
TANC, hosted by Syracuse University College of Law and Queens University Belfast, features at least eight U.S. law schools and eight international law schools competing against each other in a contest that simulates legal negotiations.
The competition offers law students from around the world a unique opportunity to sharpen their negotiation and communication skills in a transnational context, with a strong focus on cross-cultural collaboration. In each round, a U.S. team and an international team face off to resolve realistic scenarios based on common international business, trade, and political disputes—unbound by any one nation’s laws.
Each simulation includes shared facts and confidential details specific to each side, encouraging strategic thinking and collaboration. Teams may include up to four members, with two competing per round, and panels of three judges—always including at least one from the U.S. or Europe—evaluate their performance. Finalists and semifinalists receive trophies, with special awards recognizing the best advocate, most creative solution, and best teamwork.
The National Trial league (NTL) uses a trial competition format that provides multiple chances for students to hone their trial skills in a competitive, fast paced, online setting throughout the academic semester and creates opportunities for schools to compete outside the traditional weekend tournament structure. NTL features 14 trial teams competing against each other in a season format that resembles a traditional sports league with 2 conferences made up of 7 teams each.