Thomas Swan Barristers’ Union

The Thomas Swan Barristers’ Union provides students with the opportunity to learn trial skills in a fun, competitive environment. Students act as attorneys and simulate a jury trial, performing pre-trial motions, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments. All students are eligible to participate in both the intramural and national competitions. Both competitions take place during the spring semester. The intramural competition is open only to Yale Law School students, and culminates in a championship trial, over which a sitting Federal District Judge presides every year. The national trial advocacy team competes against other law schools in the prestigious National Trial Competition, an annual tournament based on a civil or criminal case.

Please contact a current Barristers' Union Executive Board member with questions:
Danielle Sassoon — danielle.sassoon@yale.edu
Sarah Chervinsky — sarah.chervinsky@yale.edu