DePaul U
niversity College of Law secured a championship win at the second annual Chicago Cup Trial Competition, held from November 8-10, 2024, at the Daley Center. Competing against a field of 12 teams from 9 schools, DePaul emerged victorious over Chicago-Kent in the final round.
The winning team, comprised of Shannon Jania ('25), Joey Johns ('25), Haley Miller ('25) and Ben Leraris ('25), demonstrated outstanding advocacy skills throughout the competition. Miller was named Final Round Best Advocate, while Jania earned recognition as Preliminary Round Best Advocate Runner-Up.
On their journey to the finals, the DePaul team secured victories over Loyola, Northwestern and St. Louis University. Despite a close split-decision loss to Chicago-Kent in the third round, DePaul reclaimed the upper hand in the final round rematch to bring home the Cup.
DePaul was represented by two teams at the competition. Veteran competitor Marc Montano ('25) led the second team alongside Paula Acosta ('25), Tyler Gollin ('26) and Drew Gaines ('25), who impressed in their debut performances. Acosta and Gollin received best advocate votes in their opening round.
A special thanks goes to Cook County Assistant Public Defenders Theo Thomas ('09), Emily Bock, Miranda Niles ('18), Takenya Nixon and Katherine Polak, who coached both DePaul teams and provided invaluable guidance and leadership throughout the competition.
Co-hosted by Chicago-Kent, DePaul, Loyola, Northwestern, UIC and the University of Illinois, this year's competition presented a compelling case based on the infamous Tylenol Murders, offering the students an opportunity to showcase their trial advocacy skills on a uniquely Chicago-themed fact pattern.
The Chicago Cup serves as an essential platform for cultivating trial advocacy excellence in law students across the nation.