President John Day and his wife Joy attended the National Trial Competition in Dallas, Texas, April 9-11, 2026. The Competition is co-sponsored by the College and the Texas Young Lawyers Association. Thirty teams advanced to the finals after qualifying in regional competitions earlier this year.
A reception late Thursday afternoon brought together leadership of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, the students and coaches of the thirty participating teams, and members of the College’s National Trial Competition Committee. President Day welcomed the students to the Competition and thanked the Fellows of the Committee for their participation.
This year’s problem was a criminal case involving charges of assault and leaving the scene of an accident with injury. The defendant admitted the underlying conduct but advanced an affirmative defense of necessity, claiming he was transporting a passenger he believed to be suffering a heart attack to a nearby hospital.
Friday evening, the NTC Committee and guests gathered for dinner at the Dallas Country Club, where Immediate Past Committee Chair Richard Zielinski led the Committee in a long-standing musical tradition honoring the sitting President.
On Saturday, President Day served as presiding judge for the final round. The awards banquet followed Saturday evening. Participants received Lewis F. Powell, Jr. medallions from the College, and additional recognitions were presented. President Day provided remarks regarding the College’s longstanding support of the Competition, the various awards the College sponsors, and the path to Fellowship. The University of Missouri-Kansas City team—Karima Burns, Bethany Halstead, and Kaleb Miller—won the Competition, and Ms. Burns received the Best Advocate Award.