The Thurgood Marshall Trial Team (TMTT) is a competitive advocacy team built on community, excellence, representation, and belonging. TMTT was founded through the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) out of a desire to create greater opportunities for students of color to participate in trial advocacy and develop their voices in the courtroom. What began as a space created to address a need for greater inclusion has grown into a diverse and accomplished team that welcomes students of all backgrounds.
Inspired by the legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall and his commitment to using the law as a tool for justice, TMTT prepares students to become confident, thoughtful, and zealous advocates. The team strives to foster an environment where every member can learn, compete, challenge themselves, and find their voice as an advocate.
While TMTT remains deeply rooted in its history of creating space for underrepresented advocates, its doors are open to all students who share a passion for trial advocacy, a commitment to excellence, and a desire to advocate zealously for their clients. Our varied backgrounds are one of our greatest strengths, bringing together different perspectives and experiences that make us stronger advocates both inside and outside the courtroom.
The team holds tryouts each fall and spring; all current non-graduating students are invited to tryout. Students will be given a fact pattern and be asked to present an opening statement. Those that present according to the given guidelines will be chosen. 1Ls are invited to tryout for the team and participate in team practices but cannot compete until their 2L year.
To learn more about the Thurgood Marshall Trial Team, email us at TMTT@law.umaryland.edu and dmilburn@law.umaryland.edu.
Whether you are stepping into a courtroom for the first time or looking to take your advocacy skills to the next level, there is a place for you on the Thurgood Marshall Trial Team.
Competing Members:
Competing Members represent TMTT in intercollegiate trial advocacy competitions and participate in the team's full training and competition program. Members commit to rigorous preparation both individually and as a team, working together to develop the skills necessary to compete at the highest level. Spring tryouts are open to all non-graduating students.
Aux Members:
Auxiliary (“Aux”) Members are an important part of the TMTT community. While Aux Members do not officially compete, they experience firsthand the preparation, discipline, and teamwork that goes into preparing for trial and participate in training alongside the competing team.
Aux membership is designed to give students an opportunity to develop their trial advocacy skills, learn the demands of competitive trial practice, and become familiar with the TMTT training environment. For students interested in competing in the future, the Aux program provides a strong foundation and an opportunity to prepare to return as a competing member. Fall tryouts are open to all non-graduating students.
Great trial advocates are built through preparation, collaboration, and a willingness to push beyond their comfort zones. Every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., TMTT members come together for rigorous, hands-on training designed to develop the next generation of zealous advocates. Our practices challenge members to think on their feet, master the rules of evidence, develop compelling case theories, and persuasively present their cases before a judge and jury.
TMTT is committed to preparing advocates who are confident in the courtroom, disciplined in their preparation, creative in their strategy, and unwavering in their commitment to their clients. Through demanding training and a supportive team environment, we transform students into advocates ready to meet the challenges of the courtroom with skill and conviction.
Captains
- Leo Clarke
- Arianna Quintero Baumanis
- Ghenaé Ford
- Anagha Velamakanni
Team Members
- Oluwatoyin (Toyin) Awotunde — Co-Education Chair
- Sydney Bannister — Merch Chair
- Elise Blake — Co-Community Service Chair
- Ryan Chernosky — Co-Education Chair
- Aleah Jones — Co-Judges Chair
- Elliott Klein — Co-Judges Chair
- Hannah Lowe — Social Chair
- Marcos Lopez — Co-Technology Chair
- Moojin Park — Co-Technology Chair
- Samari Price — Co-Community Service Chair
- Katie Rains — Historian
- Evie Sun — Social Media Chair
Head Coaches
- Derrick Milburn ‘13
- Sakkara Turpin ‘14
Assistant Coaches
- Elizabeth (Liz) Alfonso ‘24
- Jordyn Garcia ‘25
- Jadeite Javier ‘25
- Samuel Kebede ‘23
- Tayler Littlejohn ‘23
- Tamia Morris ‘23
- Quinlan Murphy ‘25
- Meryl Seidel ‘19
2026
- Placed first and third at Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association (MABLSA) Mock Trial Competition and won best defense team award
- Won best defense team award at National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) Mock Trial Competition
2025
- Placed first and third at Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association (MABLSA) Mock Trial Competition and won best defense attorney award
- Placed second and fifth the Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Competition and won best prosecution team award
2024
- Placed first, second, and third at Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association (MABLSA) Mock Trial Competition and won best defense attorney award
2023
- Placed first, second, and third at Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association (MABLSA) Mock Trial Competition
- Placed first at National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) Mock Trial Competition
2022
- Placed third at Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association (MABLSA) Mock Trial Competition
- Placed third at National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) Mock Trial Competition
2021
- Placed first at Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association (MABLSA) Mock Trial Competition
- Placed fourth at National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) Mock Trial Competition
2020
- Placed first at Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association (MABLSA) Mock Trial Competition
2017
- Placed second at Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association (MABLSA) Mock Trial Competition
2025-26
- Shantni Amin
- Donald Bateman
- Sydney Bannister
- Arianna Quintero Baumanis
- Leo Clarke
- Ghenaé Ford
- Carl Graham
- Mick Guile
- Jay Horton
- Savannah Kirtley
- Elliott Klien
- Marcos Lopez
- Hannah Lowe
- Stephanie Musekamp
- Tabonnie Nesmith
- Ava Robinson
- Nola Stewart
- Anagha Velamakanni
Where Are They Now?
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Paul Hastings LLP
- Saul Ewing LLP
- Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
- Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann
- Baltimore City Council
- Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office
- Appellate Court of Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- Tydings & Rosenberg LLP
- O’Melveny & Myers LLP
- Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
- Circuit Court for Prince George’s County
- Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office
- Arnold & Itkin, LLP
- Jackson Lewis P.C.
- Michelman Robinson, LLP
- Chadwick Law Firm
- Conti Fenn LLC
- Maryland General Assembly
- And More