CUA's Moot Court National Trial Team successfully advanced to the semi-final round this weekend at the highly competitive Texas Young Lawyers Association trial competition (TYLA), hosted by the American University, Washington College of Law. The competition is a regional qualifier for the National Trial Competition, held annually in Texas. This year's qualifier included a total of twenty-seven teams from law schools in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Representing CUA in the semi-final round were Jennifer Brooker (2E) and Vania Smith (2E). After an impressive trial, the team was narrowly eliminated by one of the two eventual competition winners, the University of Virginia. Another CUA team competing at TYLA this weekend - Justin Ewaniszyk (3D), Adrianna Oddo (3D), and Jordanne Miller (2D) - also had an impressive showing. Facing two of the eventual top final four teams in their preliminary rounds, they delivered strong performances throughout the competition. "The way our students advocated was incredibly impressive. They showed talent, skill, and great poise under pressure," said National Trial Team co-director Lindsey Cloud Mervis. Co-director John N. Sharifi added, "Our students put in a tremendous amount of preparation, and it showed in the competition. They know what they need to do to win. We'll be back at TYLA next year." The TYLA regional qualifier took place from February 9 - 11, 2018.