Why the Illinois Trial Team?
Our Team
We are a top-10 nationally ranked program out of the 800+ teams that compete for the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA). Two years ago, we made history by sending our team to nationals for the first time in 8 years and achieving a record-breaking finish—placing 4th in our division and 14th overall in the nation. Last year, we made program history again by sending two teams to nationals to compete in Washington, D.C.! Last year, we continued our success with a 7th- place finish, ranking 8th overall in the nation. Along the way, our program produced two All-Americans, Luiza Zanon (2025) and Sonny Steinhauer (2026), who both earned the top rank in their division. If you're looking to join a competitive program focused on advocacy skills and national success, join the Illinois Trial Team!
Competition
Partaking in the Illinois Trial Team will not only be valuable academically, but also build your professional career and relationships. Through ITT, members develop essential skills such as public speaking, courtroom procedure, creative writing, advanced argumentation, and confidence under pressure. Beyond the courtroom experience, our program travels across the country to compete at various tournaments, with the team going to Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Chicago, Nashville, Cleveland, and a plethora of other locations all within recent time. Join ITT to strengthen your core skills, compete nationally, and expand your network!
Our Values
While we are committed to being a competitive organization, our team values the community we build above all else. Through the weekly practices working on the case, hotel talks at tournaments, and team socials throughout the year, we form lifelong friendships. Most importantly, we prioritize supporting one another, whether that means working on each other's content, offering career advice, or simply being there for one another. We are a family before competitors, and if that is what you're looking for, come join the Illinois Trial Team!