Two University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law students were named Academic All-Americans by the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators (NALAE), recognizing their excellence in academics, competition, service and leadership. Karima Burns (J.D. ’26) was named an Academic All-American Trial Advocate and Emma King-Murphy (J.D. ’26) was named an Academic All-American Appellate Advocate.
Burns and King-Murphy are two of only 29 law students across the country who earned this honor, and the only students selected from a Missouri law school.
Burns credits this honor to her mentors and peers, especially those in the advocacy program.
“The advocacy program at UMKC is truly special, and I owe a great deal of this recognition to the mentorship of the faculty and the support of my mock trial teammates,” Burns said. “The program is incredibly practical and prepares students for real courtrooms. Everyone involved in the advocacy program deserves tremendous recognition and respect, they are exceptional trial lawyers, mentors and educators.”
The NALAE’s national selection committee evaluates candidates across three criteria: academic performance; competition achievement in trial advocacy, appellate advocacy or dispute resolution; and leadership and service within their law school and community.
Burns was part of the 2026 UMKC Law national championship mock trial team and earned Best Advocate of the competition. Burns said she tried to show a commitment to advocacy in throughout law school, and earned a place on the Dean’s List every semester.
“Karima is an exceptional competitor on any team she is a member of, but her passion for advocacy goes beyond competitions,” said L. Michaelle Tobin, professor of law and director of the mock trial program at UMKC School of Law. “She is a student who understands that advocacy matters because it affects real people.”
King-Murphy was a competitor in the 76th Annual National Moot Court competition. She has a published comment in the UMKC Law Review, “The Hidden Secret of Religions: Perpetrators of Adult Abuse Escape Justice” and was a staff writer for the journal. She earned a place on the Dean’s List every semester and graduated third in her class.
“Emma was one of our legal-writing teaching assistants; combining that with her academic curiosity made her one of the best brief writers I’ve worked with,” said Steve Leben, associate dean and professor at the UMKC School of Law. “One of Emma’s special qualities is that she is always ready to help others — even when she’s busy. While preparing for our regional and national competitions, she helped second-year students prepare for their first oral arguments by giving them practice rounds with her as a judge. That kind of generosity takes time and dedication.”
The UMKC School of Law advocacy program is nationally recognized, earning the No. 21 spot on the 2026 U.S. News and World Report rankings for best law schools and programs. In 2024, the mock trial program was ranked No. 11 in the country. In addition to the 2026 national champion mock trial team, a UMKC Law team won the inaugural National Military Trial Competition in 2025.