WACO, Tex. (BNc) — Sherri Mazur, a 2014 graduate of Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law, was named second best trial advocate in the nation at Baylor University’s Top Gun Competition, a prestigious invitation-only advocacy tournament.

Sherri is a Christian from Florida, according to Faulkner Communications Manager Christopher Kratzer.

Faulkner was one of only sixteen law schools nationwide to receive an invitation to participate based upon its success in previous competitions.

“We are excited that the quality of our student advocates is earning national attention,” said Matt Vega, dean of Faulkner Law.

“Faulkner’s advocacy program provides exceptional training, equipping talented students for success in the courtroom. We are not surprised by Sherri’s achievement,” Vega said.

Mazur’s competitors included advocates from Yale Law School, Cumberland School of Law, and the Berkeley School of Law. Ultimately, Mazur emerged as the second best advocate in the nation.

“The tournament was a wonderful experience and I am honored to have had the opportunity to compete. I look forward to applying the skills I learned in trial competitions to my future clients,” Mazur said.

Founded in 2010, the Top Gun invitational has already earned a reputation as one of the most challenging mock trial competitions in the nation because of its unique format. Unlike other mock trial competitions, participants are first introduced to the case file just 24 hours before the first round begins. Shortly before each round, competitors are assigned witnesses that may be used at the participants’ discretion. As the tournament progresses, new pieces of evidence and additional witnesses are introduced to further challenge the remaining competitors.

Jurors for each round are composed of distinguished trial lawyers and judges. In this year’s final round, Leonard E. Davis, chief judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, presided, according to Joe Lester, professor of law and director of advocacy at Faulkner Law.

As director of advocacy, Lester has worked with many talented students. Mazur is no exception.

“Faulkner Law has won many national and regional titles, but this achievement is the most prestigious because of the superior quality of the competition.” Lester said, “To be invited was an honor to the school, but to do so well is a testament to Sherri.”

Report based on release from Faulkner University, a Christian school based in Montgomery, Ala.

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