Empire Brings 600+ Students to Chicago for the World Championship
Empire Charter Member Captures First Empire Championship
In June 2007, Roman Catholic student attorney Steve Patton never could have imagined this: winning an international mock trial championship at a competition featuring over 40 teams. Back then, Steve’s team had just competed at a brand new tournament, the Empire City Invitational, where his team had captured 2.5 ballots in a field of 12 teams.
Nearly 20 years–and over a dozen Empire experiences later–Coach Steve Patton’s Roman Catholic team hoisted their first ever Empire crown. Making it even sweeter, they bested the reigning National Champion Montgomery Bell Academy:
“I am so happy for the students,” said Patton. “It’s been a long journey to get here–we’ve been really close before. But that makes this win that much more meaningful.”
He’s not kidding.
This was Roman Catholic’s fourth Empire Championship Round, having finished second in previous tournaments in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.
In one of the closest decisions in Empire history, Roman Catholic High School earned a 5–4 ballot victory, capturing its first-ever Empire World Championship.
The Finals were presided over by Judge James Shapiro of the Cook County District Court and evaluated by a panel of scoring jurors from the Chicago legal community.
International Excellence
This year’s World Championship welcomed 43 teams from three countries, bringing together 615 students. Students competed in four rounds of trials on Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9, and the top two teams competed in the Championship Round on Monday, November 10 at the Chicago Kent School of Law.
The competition featured Empire’s strongest international placement in more than a decade with the Korea International School earning a historic 6th place finish. Finishing in the top 5 were the following teams:
1st: Roman Catholic - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2nd: Montgomery Bell Academy - Nashville, Tennessee
3rd: Faith Lutheran - Las Vegas, Nevada
4th: Harpeth Hall - Nashville, Tennessee
5th: Ft. Lauderdale High School - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Maine South High School from Park Ridge represented the home state of Illinois and captured 4 ballots. You can view more results here.
Freedom of Speech at Center of Weekend
The weekend began Friday night with an Opening Ceremony in the Grand Ballroom at the Palmer House, featuring a keynote address from Dr. Steven Schwinn, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
You can view Professor Schwinn’s full remarks here.
Professor Schwinn was selected to speak because of his area of expertise: the First Amendment.
This year’s case involved a recently fired college professor who filed suit against his former employer, claiming that his First Amendment rights were violated when he was fired for the content of his speech.
Speaking to the students, Professor Schwinn emphasized the importance of the First Amendment right now:
“We are in a constitutional moment… and ground zero for this moment is the First Amendment—the exact issue that Empire is asking you to argue.”
Even as citizens and mock trial participants, Professor Schwinn encouraged the students to recognize the ability that they have to make a difference in the world:
“You, too, are going to have that power to make constitutional changes and make society what you want it to be.”
Adversity Meets Adaptability
A federal government shutdown forced the closure of Chicago’s federal courthouse just days before the event. With 22 trials scheduled, Empire executed a rapid logistical pivot, adopting a split-venue model and transforming conference rooms at the Palmer House and Marriott Renaissance into courtrooms.
Winter storms further complicated transportation throughout downtown Chicago, requiring coordinated efforts to move teams, judges, and volunteers. Despite these challenges, the Empire community adapted, turning adversity into one of the most memorable championships in Empire history.
“We got people from point A to point B and managed not to lose anyone!” remarked Amber Rumancik, a long-time Empire volunteer who ran shuttle buses from the Palmer House to the Marriott. “And we did it with a smile–so it was a win all-round.”
Community Support Powers Empire Chicago
Empire Chicago was made possible by extraordinary volunteer support from the legal community. Each round was evaluated by legal professionals serving as presiding judges and scoring jurors, including:
9 sitting judges volunteering from the bench
More than 150 attorneys and law students serving throughout the weekend
Their dedication ensured every round upheld the professionalism, fairness, and educational excellence that define Empire Mock Trial.
“The competition is run in an extraordinarily professional manner,” remarked Judge James Shapiro, who has been volunteering with Empire for the past 5 years. “Empire really has it down to a science. I heartily recommend participation as a judge.”
Looking Ahead: The 20th Anniversary Season
Empire Mock Trial will return to Chicago next year for its sixth year, officially tying San Francisco as Empire’s second-longest host city. The 2026 World Championship, expected in mid-November, will mark a milestone: Empire’s 20th anniversary season.
Following us on social media as we announce our 20th season next month.
“It’s hard to believe that next year, Empire is celebrating its 20th season,” said Director of Operations Emily Shapiro. “We hope to see you there.”
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Media Contact
Emily Shapiro
emily@empiremocktrial.org
917-426-3682