Buffalo State will host a tournament where students from Western and Central New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio compete to win a bid for the American Mock Trial Association’s National Championship Tournament in May.

Two dozen teams, consisting of 8-10 students each, will participate in this weekend’s regional tournament.

The competition is composed of four rounds—two Saturday and two Sunday. Each trial will have two to three judges; the presiding judge will rule on objections and evidentiary procedure, and the scoring judges will rate the performance of the student attorneys and witnesses.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Buffalo State,” said Jon Lines, lecturer, Political Science Department, and regional tournament director. “We look forward to bringing together Western New York’s legal community with the more than 200 student attorneys and witnesses who will be competing on campus this weekend."

Buffalo State is asking local judges, attorneys, advanced law students, and other members of the legal profession to volunteer as trial judges. CLE credits will be available to eligible attorneys. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, as well as a reception for volunteer judges on Friday night.

More information is available by visiting the tournament’s website or by contacting Lines at (716) 465-1327.