Each year, OTLA members volunteer their time to support the development of trial skills, civility and professionalism amongst law school students by organizing the OTLA Cup.
Law schools from across Ontario compete in a simulated trial which covers all aspects of a real court case. The OTLA Cup is held each year in a courthouse, rotating amongst various cities around the province and is presided over by a local judge, with OTLA members making up the jury. Through the generous support of various law firms, OTLA members award prizes to the law students who exemplify the best in trial advocacy.
Congratulations to our award winners:
- Will Trial Lawyers Award for Best Opening: Fiona Mucko, University of Windsor Faculty of Law
- Greg Monforton Award for Best Examination in Chief: Caitlyn Brennan, Queen's Law
- Bonn Law Award for Best Cross Examination: Owen Zimmer, Lakehead University – Bora Laskin
- H. Bruce Hillyer Award for Best Closing (tie): David Grout, York University – Osgoode Hall Law School & Julia Shanta, University of Ottawa – Faculty of Law | Common Law
- Tim Boland Award for Best Overall Advocate: Owen Zimmer, Lakehead University – Bora Laskin
- Hooper Law Award for Best Witness: Paul Nitafan, Queen's Law
- Bergeron Clifford Award for Best Team: Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Lakehead University (Owen Zimmer, Caitlyn Aune & Minahil Choudhary)
We would like to thank the volunteers who work very hard each year to prepare for the annual competition. We also extend thanks to the volunteer coaches who spend countless hours coaching the students and to our sponsors who make this event possible.
We are very grateful to the following firms for sponsoring the 2026 OTLA Cup:
If you are interested in becoming involved in future OTLA Cup events, please email us here.
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