The TEX-ABOTA Best-in-Texas Voir Dire Competition (“BIT”) is a three-day trial advocacy competition exclusively among the 10 law schools in Texas. The BIT focuses on the under-taught skills of jury selection and opening statement in civil cases. It provides the law students with real-world trial situations and helps them to become practice-ready advocates. The BIT travels each year to a different venue in Texas. The 2024 BIT was held in Houston on September 12-15 and was chaired by Don Kidd of Perdue& Kidd.
The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) is an invitation-only, national organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges who are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment right to jury trial in civil cases. TEX-ABOTA is the Texas chapter of ABOTA.
Over the course of three exciting days, jurors, judges, seasoned attorneys, and eager law students from all 10 Texas law schools came together with one goal in mind: to crown the “Best in Texas.”
What makes BIT unique is its emphasis on the critical but often overlooked skill of jury selection. The idea for this competition emerged from a collaboration between Texas law schools and TEX-ABOTA, with the aim of creating a specialized platform to train future lawyers in this crucial aspect of trial practice. Unlike standard mock trial tournaments, this event challenges participants to master jury selection, a key component in ensuring fairness in our justice system and a cornerstone of ABOTA’s commitment to upholding Seventh Amendment rights.
By bringing together the brightest legal minds in Texas, the Best in Texas Voir Dire Competition serves as an invaluable platform for law students to hone their skills and gain practical experience. We are incredibly proud of Don Kidd's role in making this event possible, ensuring that the next generation of trial lawyers is prepared to uphold the rights of all Texans.
The semifinalist's teams were from South Texas College of Law – Houston, Texas Law-University of Texas, SMU Dedman School of Law, and Baylor Law-Baylor University. Baylor Law defeated Texas Law in the finals.
Perdue & Kidd congratulates Baylor Law on being the Best in Texas 2024!
