Nation’s Top Mock Trial Advocates Compete at Baylor Law School’s 2026 Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition

The nation’s top mock trial advocates gathered once again at Baylor Law School for the 2026 Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition. This prestigious invitation-only advocacy tournament featured 16 of the country’s best law student advocates competing in one of the most demanding events in legal advocacy education.

After three days of intense competition, Rebecca Goren of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law captured the title of Top Gun 2026, defeating Ali Alekri of New York University School of Law in the championship round. Dresden Day of the University of Georgia School of Law and Dan Cohen of Harvard Law School were this year’s semifinalists.

This year’s case centered on responsibility for catastrophic injuries from a natural gas explosion at a hospital construction site. Competitors had to consider complex issues such as the efficacy of warnings, safety regulations, potential third-party liability, and odor fade in natural gas. As always, advocates received case materials just 24 hours before the competition began, forcing them to master complex facts, develop a strategy, and adapt in real time.

Founded and hosted annually by Baylor Law School since 2010, the Top Gun competition has become one of the nation’s premier mock trial competitions. The event invites champions and top advocates from leading national trial competitions, bringing together the country’s most skilled student litigators for an elite showcase of courtroom advocacy and trial practice.

“The quality of competition that you face here is unmatched anywhere else,”  stated the Honorable Jim Roberts, Jr, Co-Director of Advocacy Programs at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. “It’s the most intense competition. It’s the most challenging competition.”

The competition is made possible through the continued support of MG+M The Law Firm, the event’s title sponsor and longtime partner of Baylor Law’s nationally recognized advocacy programs. John Manning, President of MG+M, praised both the competitors and Baylor Law’s advocacy program during the closing ceremony. “I watched the faculty team here, Robert in particular, and the entire program,” Manning said. “You’re getting an experience that’s unique and the best of the best. I want to congratulate you for getting here, but also express gratitude for the tremendous people and resources you’re exposed to.” Manning also noted the impact the competition has had on MG+M attorneys and coaches over the years, calling the partnership “a tremendously rewarding experience” for the firm and its lawyers.

In addition to this year’s finalists and semifinalists, Aleyna Young of The University of Texas School of Law received the competition’s Professionalism Award, recognizing the competitor who best exemplified professionalism, civility, and respect throughout the tournament. Presenting the award, Baylor Law Director of Advocacy Robert Little emphasized the importance of professionalism in trial advocacy. “What it means to be a lawyer is not just to be good and talented and win,” Little said. “It also means doing it the right way, in a way that is respectful of your opponent, respectful of the place you are, and respectful of the people around you.”

Top Gun continues to challenge the nation’s rising trial advocates. For competitors and coaches alike, the tournament represents the gold standard in advocacy training. “This is my favorite competition to coach,” said former Zoe Green Appler, Top Gun Champion in 2021 and current coach for  Temple University Beasley School of Law. “There’s nothing else like it.”

The 16 student competitors in Top Gun XVII:

• Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law - Beau Marlette
• Drexel University, Thomas R. Kline School of Law - Caroline Albert
• Harvard Law School - Dan Cohen
• Mercer University School of Law - Joshua Wright
• New York University School of Law - Ali Alekri
• Northwestern Pritzker School of Law - Farah Mavrakis
• Samford University Cumberland School of Law - Melina Lettieri
• Stetson University College of Law - Jacob Rykiel
• St. Thomas University College of Law - Juan Estevez
• Temple University Beasley School of Law - Brandon McKay
• UC Berkeley Law - Rebecca Goren 
• UCLA School of Law - Audrey Shepard Judd
• University of Georgia School of Law - Dresden Day
• University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law - Karima Burns
• University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law - Liz Rentz-Neely
• University of Texas School of Law - Aleyna Young