Mercer University School of Law has ascended to third in the nation in the Gavel Rankings, rising from fourth last year and further solidifying its position among the most elite advocacy programs in the country. This latest distinction extends a remarkable trajectory: since 2023, the Mercer Advocacy Council has remained firmly within the national top five — a sustained run that underscores both exceptional consistency and a standard of excellence measured at the highest levels of intercollegiate competition.
The Gavel Rankings are reserved for law school advocacy programs that demonstrate superiority on the most demanding stages, evaluating performance across premier invitational tournaments nationwide. Criteria include competitive outcomes, caliber of opposition, and the ability to consistently prevail against the nation’s strongest advocacy programs. Mercer’s continued presence at the top reflects not only standout victories, but an enduring dominance against peer institutions. Since the 2022–23 academic year, Mercer has maintained a top five standing — an achievement matched by only one other law school in the nation.
This year, 72 students participated in the Mercer Advocacy Council, competing across six distinct areas of legal practice: mock trial, moot court, negotiations, client counseling, arbitration and mediation. The program entered 36 competitions and captured three national championships, advancing in over 80% of all competitions entered. Six teams reached the national finals, of which four advanced further to the national quarterfinals — giving Mercer the best national final advancement rate of any law school in the country — an extraordinary achievement that underscores the depth and consistency of the law school’s advocacy training.
This sustained excellence is guided by Assistant Dean of Advocacy Katie Powers, LAW ’09, now in her sixth year leading the very program in which she once distinguished herself as a student advocate. She is joined by Director of Advocacy Lauren James, LAW ’21, and Associate Director of Advocacy Walker Lee, LAW ’24, both of whom were distinguished members of the Mercer Advocacy Council as students. Their efforts are reinforced by an exceptional network of volunteer coaches — distinguished alumni, members of the judiciary and accomplished trial lawyers — whose collective expertise ensures that Mercer’s advocacy teams remain among the most formidable in the nation.
“This ranking solidifies what we know about our students, that they are ready for the practice of law when they leave Mercer,” said Powers. “Our students are succeeding at an elite level, proving that once again ‘hard work betrays none.’”
Building on one of the program’s most successful years on record, the advocacy program looks forward to sustaining this momentum in the coming academic year. Key priorities include deepening faculty coaching resources to support continued growth in participation, expanding the undergraduate mock trial program, and pursuing additional recognition opportunities that showcase the national caliber of Mercer Law’s advocacy training.
“Mercer Law’s recognition in the Gavel Rankings reflects the commitment, dedication and hard work of students, staff and faculty to help students become impactful advocates,” said Dean Karen J. Sneddon. “To be recognized once again among the nation’s very best advocacy programs reflects not only the grit and determination of talented students to develop and refine their skills, but also the unwavering dedication of faculty, staff, coaches and alumni to guide, support and encourage students. This achievement speaks to a culture of excellence that is deeply embedded in Mercer Law. We look forward to continuing this momentum to help students become advocates for their clients and their communities.”
