Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) of Nashville was named the 2025 Tennessee State High School Mock Trial champion Saturday night after two days of preliminary rounds. The school prevailed over Agathos Classical School from Columbia. Tennessee State Supreme Court Justice Mary Wagner presided over the round, while members of the TBA Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Executive Committee, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr., TBA Vice President Heidi Barcus and TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright served as jurors. Earlier in the day, the top eight teams were announced, an MVP for each of the 16 teams was recognized, individual awards were presented to the best advocates and witnesses, and Sevier County High School of Sevierville was awarded the 2025 Sportsmanship Award. The top three artists in the inaugural Artist in the Courtroom Contest also were recognized and the first place winner was on hand to accept the award. 

Special thanks to YLD Mock Trial Committee Chair Ashley Tipton, Vice Chair Michael Holmes, Long Range Planning Coordinator Judge Zachary Walden and members of the committee for organizing this year's event, which involved 16 teams, more than 200 participants and more than 100 volunteers, including sitting Tennessee judges, lawyers and the YLD's Diversity Leadership Institute's law students. Montgomery Bell Academy now will represent Tennessee at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Phoenix, Arizona, in May. The team is coached by attorneys Tracy Hancock, Wade Cowan and Marisa Combs Smith. Harper Cowart of Signal Mountain High School was selected as the top artist and qualifies to participate at the national championship as well.

First Place Winner: Montgomery Bell Academy

Second Place Winner: Agathos Classical School

Sportsmanship Award: Sevier County High School

Thank you to Supreme Court Justice Mary Wagner for presiding over the championship round

TBA leaders serve as "jurors" for the championship round

Left: Mock Trial Committee Chair Ashley Tipton and Vice Chair Michael Holmes announce competition results
Right: Harper Cowart from Signal Mountain High School wins first place in the Artist in the Courtroom Competition; YLD President Sean Aiello (center) and TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. present the award

Diversity Leadership Institute Class of 2025 served as bailiffs at the mock trial competition