Published on September 15, 2025 by Morgan Black  
Moot Court 24 25
Pictured are members of Cumberland School of Law's 2024-25 National Moot Court team

The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Law Student Division has published its Top Competition Champions for 2024-25. Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law is ranked No. 6 in the nation for its excellence in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and moot court competitions, rising two spots from the previous year’s ranking. 

This ranking is designed to recognize law schools that go above and beyond to help prepare their students for practice. According to the ABA, success in these competitions illustrates each school’s commitment to providing a well-rounded curriculum and preparing students to become highly skilled lawyers, a hallmark of Cumberland School of Law’s advocacy program.

During the year of recognition, Cumberland School of Law competition teams participated in all five of the ABA’s competitions focusing on appellate advocacy, arbitration, negotiation, client counseling and mediation. In the spring, Cumberland teams excelled as winners of both the Representation in Mediation Competition and the National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC). At the national round of the NAAC in Chicago, the Cumberland team finished among the top eight teams in the nation and brought home two Best Advocate awards.

Ben Warren, JD ’18, serves Cumberland’s advocacy program as the director of ADR teams. “The ABA Law Student Division Competitions provide transformative learning opportunities, enabling participants to sharpen their advocacy skills in a competitive setting that closely simulates real-world practice,” Warren said. “Through these experiences, our future lawyers are preparing to deliver the highest standard of legal expertise and professionalism. This ranking reflects their dedication to preparation and the development of crucial advocacy skills.”

Cumberland’s advocacy program, which also ranks No. 4 in the nation for trial advocacy by U.S. News & World Report, is supported by the generosity of alumni, volunteers and donors. “We sincerely thank those whose generosity supports and enhances this program,” Warren added. “Whether through financial donations or the priceless gift of time spent coaching, your support actively helps our students and the law school succeed.”

“I am so proud of our ADR program for ranking sixth in the country in the ABA rankings,” said Judge Jim Roberts, co-director of advocacy programs. “Under Ben’s leadership, our program continues to get stronger and is now recognized as one of the top programs in the country. Of course, this would not be possible without our dedicated coaches and talented and hardworking students.” 

Support Cumberland School of Law’s advocacy program.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second-highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.