The Temple Rosner National Trial Team 3L squad took top honors as Region Three champions and will advance to the National Trial Competition, held in Texas later this spring. Temple’s 2L squad also excelled, finishing as semi-finalists in just their second Temple competition. Both squads were coached by Professor Jules Epstein, Marissa Bluestine (JD ’95), and Nick Guth (JD ’20).
The competition began with a field of 21 teams from 11 schools. Temple’s 3L team, which included Rachelle Casement, Marco Granston, and Madison Smith, litigated the case five times across the weekend, sometimes as prosecution and others as defense. The 2L team of Kai Burton, Blake Lowry, and Alex Rowland was ranked number 1 at the end of the first three rounds, and finished as semi-finalists after an extremely close fourth round.
The competitors drew on the support of their teammates and coaches, gaining confidence through hard work and taking pride in the opportunity to represent Temple Law with excellence.
Rachelle Casement, who competed on the 3L team as both prosecution and defense, said the experience was “overwhelming in the best way.” “Coming back to this regional competition as a 3L—stronger and more confident—and finally earning the bid to nationals was a dream come true. We kept our foot on the gas from start to finish, and I cannot wait to bring that same energy to the national competition next month,” she said. “This truly took a village. Our success reflects the support of our teammates and the mentorship of our coaches, who push us to be better advocates and encourage us to show up as our authentic selves.”
3Ls Madison Smith and Marco Granston noted the value of hard work and persistence, pursued within a “community of support.” “Our success is the result of countless late nights, early mornings, and weekends spent preparing alongside our coaches and teammates,” said Smith. “We were extremely fortunate to have had so many dedicated Temple law students, friends, and family volunteer their time to help with scrimmages and practices. Their support made the difference and helped us polish our materials by gaining outside perspectives.” “Our victory at the Regional Trial Competition did not come easy,” added Granston. “It was a culmination of hard work, persistence, and constant refinement. None of it would have been possible without our community of supporters including friends, family, and, of course, our brilliant coaches. This is a shared victory, and it reflects Temple Law’s continued dedication to developing its students’ trial advocacy skills.”
“Our competitors on both teams represented Temple Law brilliantly,” said Professor Jules Epstein. “They exemplified what Temple trial advocacy has always been about: hard work, teamwork, professionalism, and pride. They had the opportunity to learn from two Temple Trial Team legends, Marissa Bluestine and Nick Guth, and now have the chance to build their own legacy as part of our history and future. We are truly Temple Proud.”
Competitors on Temple’s 2L team noted the hard work, pride, and confidence that come with participation on the Temple Rosner National Trial Team. “I always knew I wanted to be a trial lawyer, that’s why Temple University was my number one choice for law school. Temple’s Trial Ad Program and the National Trial Team have changed my life, not just giving me the tools to be a confident advocate in the courtroom but in my personal life as well,” said Blake Lowry. “I’m immensely thankful to my coaches and teammates for all the work that went into this weekend.”
Kai Burton noted that along with the hard work, there was some fun as well. “I had a great time competing in the Regional Trial Competition! Seeing all the hard work my teammates, coaches, and I put in this past semester culminate in such a rewarding weekend was an incredible experience,” she said.
“I couldn’t have done it without my incredible teammates, and we owe so much to our phenomenal coaches,” said Alex Rowland, who like Casement competed as both prosecution and defense. “Every moment of the competition reminded me why I chose Temple Law: excellence in advocacy.”
Congratulations to the Temple Rosner National Trial Team on another outstanding performance!