Barristers Column — October 2026
By Nolan B. Kistler
Nolan B. Kistler
Riverside's Own "Best in the World"
One of the great privileges of being part of the Riverside legal community is having the opportunity to recognize the next generation of advocates coming up behind us. This month, I am excited to highlight an extraordinary accomplishment by Martin Luther King High School senior Alia Duckworth, who this summer earned the title of "Best in the World" at the GLADIATOR World Championship.
In July 2026, Alia traveled to Philadelphia to compete in the 12th annual GLADIATOR, one of the premier individual competitions in high school mock trial. The selective tournament brings together 48 of the world's top high school mock trial competitors for a unique one-on-one competition designed to test virtually every aspect of courtroom advocacy.
Unlike traditional mock trial, GLADIATOR is an individual competition. Over four preliminary rounds, competitors perform as both attorneys and witnesses, with attorney performance weighted most heavily. Only the top four advance to the semifinals, where they compete exclusively as attorneys until a champion is crowned.
This year's tournament was held July 24 through 26 at the Federal Courthouse and Drexel Law School in Philadelphia. Alia took first place after the opening round and never relinquished the top spot. She advanced through all four preliminary rounds as the top seed, won her semifinal, and then won the championship round to become the 2026 GLADIATOR World Champion.
Her victory earned her GLADIATOR's signature life-size replica gladiator helmet and the title "Best in the World." Since its creation in 2015, the competition has attracted more than 400 competitors from 25 states and five countries, including students from county, state, and national championship programs.
Alia's victory also continued an exceptional year for the Martin Luther King High School Mock Trial program. Just months earlier, she helped King reach the championship round of the 2026 Riverside County Mock Trial Competition, where the team finished as county runner-up.
Preparation Meets Opportunity
Achievements like this do not happen by accident. Before GLADIATOR, Alia attended Top Mock, a week-long mock trial training program in South Carolina where she trained alongside some of the best competitors in the country. She then returned home and spent the following weeks practicing every day with King Mock Trial attorney coach Ben Hampton in preparation for Philadelphia.
Ben Hampton has coached King Mock Trial since 2007 and has previously coached several students invited to GLADIATOR. Alia became his first champion. Ben described what made her performance so exceptional:
"I've coached, scored, or evaluated nearly a thousand mock trial students since I began coaching in 2007, and Alia is as good as they come. Her command of courtroom procedure, the rules of evidence, witness control, and oral advocacy rivals that of many seasoned trial attorneys. Gladiator is an extraordinarily demanding one-on-one competition that brings together some of the very best high school mock trial competitors in the world. To win it is, in my view, the highest individual achievement a high school mock trial student can earn. I couldn't be more proud to call myself her coach."
For Alia, however, the experience appears to have accomplished something even more meaningful than winning a championship. She stated:
"Winning Gladiator made every one of those hours feel worthwhile. But what I'll remember most isn't the trophy, it's the realization that I truly love this"
Reflecting on what the experience meant for her future, Alia added:
"Mock trial has taught me how much I enjoy advocating, thinking on my feet, and finding my voice. Winning Gladiator didn't just feel like the culmination of years of work… it made me even more certain that I want to pursue a future in law."
There is also one particularly fitting tradition awaiting her. Each year, the following year's GLADIATOR case is named after the reigning champion. That means the 2027 competitors can expect to litigate United States v. Duckworth.
Investing in the Next Generation
Alia's story represents something important to Barristers and our broader Riverside legal community. Supporting the next generation of attorneys begins long before someone receives a bar number. Mock trial, athletics, debate, academics, and other competitive activities teach young people how to prepare, communicate, think critically, respond to adversity, and perform under pressure.
Those opportunities also depend on adults willing to coach, mentor, judge, volunteer, and encourage them. Barristers may be an organization for young attorneys, but part of developing the next generation of our profession is reaching back to those who may someday join us. I hope our members will continue supporting local students and programs throughout Riverside.
Alia Duckworth has already demonstrated that a student from right here in Riverside can compete with the very best in the world. Congratulations to Alia, Ben Hampton, the Martin Luther King High School Mock Trial program, and everyone who helped make this remarkable accomplishment possible.
Something tells me this will not be the last time the Riverside legal community hears the name Alia Duckworth.
Barristers Board Spotlight:
Briana A. Heiting, 2026-2027 Member at Large
Briana is an attorney at Rizio Lipinsky Heiting, where she practices personal injury law. This is her first year serving on the Barristers Board after graduating from the New Attorney Academy in May. Outside of the law, Briana enjoys painting and playing tennis.
Born and raised in Riverside, Briana is especially grateful for the opportunity to build her career and serve the community where she grew up. The welcoming and supportive nature of Riverside's legal community is what drew her to become more involved with Barristers. She especially values the connections and mentorship Barristers provides to newer attorneys, along with the many opportunities to give back through community service and outreach.
As a Board Member, Briana hopes to strengthen that sense of community by encouraging member involvement and creating opportunities for young attorneys to connect, learn, and grow. She looks forward to helping newer attorneys feel welcomed, supported, and connected as they build their careers in Riverside's legal community.
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If you're interested in learning more about Barristers or you would like to attend one of our events, I am more than happy to connect with you and introduce you to our amazing members. Feel free to email me at nolan@hbklaw.net or text or call me at (951) 533-9536.
Nolan B. Kistler is an attorney with the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler in Riverside, California, where he practices personal injury law. A Riverside native, Nolan graduated from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and is actively involved in the Riverside County Bar Association and Barristers.