Coaching Staff
Tulane Mock Trial has the best coaching staff in all of collegiate mock trial. We are fortunate to have seven extremely qualified coaches, all of whom volunteer their time.
Paul is an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Louisiana. He has litigated in state and federal courts across Texas and Louisiana and previously served as a Harris County prosecutor and federal judicial law clerk.
As a competitor at Rhodes College, Paul captained the program’s top team and finished as the 2013 AMTA National Runner-Up. He later earned the Dean’s Outstanding Advocate Award and Order of the Barristers at South Texas College of Law Houston.
Paul has coached collegiate mock trial for over a decade. Since joining Tulane in 2024, he has led the program to a top-60 national ranking and its first AMTA National Championship appearance.
Paul Hubbell - Head Coach
JD is a 3L at Tulane Law School, originally from Portland, OR. He discovered mock trial at Rhodes College, where he competed at the National Championship Series every year and helped Rhodes win the 2019 Great American Mock Trial Invitational (GAMTI), the first in program history.
After graduating, JD coached at Rhodes for three years before joining Tulane in 2025. In his first season, he led Tulane's B Team to a first-place finish at GSU, helped two teams qualify for the Opening Round Championship Series, and helped coach Tulane's first National Championship team in 2026.
JD is passionate about oral advocacy and developing student leaders. He looks forward to continuing Tulane Mock Trial's success while finishing law school.
Jonathan “JD” Deming
Martin is a 2L at Tulane Law School and competes on Tulane's ICC Appellate Moot Court team as one of its junior members. This summer, he worked as an IP Litigation summer associate in Latham & Watkins' Austin office.
Before law school, Martin competed for Rhodes Mock Trial as both an attorney and expert witness, helping his team earn a regional championship and competing at several high-level tournaments, including ORCS.
He is excited to return for his second year of coaching after leading both of Tulane's development teams last season to strong performances at regionals.
Martin Maxim
Claudia is a recent Tulane graduate with degrees in political science and dance. During her time at Tulane, she was a member of the mock trial team for three years, and served as captain for many of her different teams. Over her mock trial career, she had the pleasure of seeing the program grow and excel, eventually making it to Nationals her final year. In her post grad life, Claudia is dancing professionally with Mélange Dance Theater, and working as a paralegal at HNK Family Law
Claudia Derryberry
Eleni Sans
Eleni graduated from Tulane in 2025 and is currently working in New York City as a litigation paralegal.
At Tulane, Eleni competed with Tulane Mock Trial as both an award-winning witness and attorney, gaining insight into all sides of how to build a strong case. As a member of the program’s leadership, Eleni was honored to play a part in laying the young program’s foundation. Now, as a coach, she is equally thrilled to help the program continue its meteoric rise.
Emma is a 2L at Tulane Law School where she is a member of the Trial Team. Emma’s love for mock trial started in high school and continued while she completed her undergraduate degree at Rhodes College and competed in AMTA all four years. While at Rhodes, Emma was a team captain and competed at nationals. In her free time, Emma likes to do crafts, bake, and explore the city. This will be Emma’s first year coaching for Tulane Mock Trial, and she looks forward to a fun and competitive season.
Emma Timmons
Jace is joining the Tulane Mock Trial Coaching Staff this year. He has previously competed in AMTA Competitions from 2020-2024 at Furman University. He is now attending Tulane University Law School where he competes for the law school’s Mock Trial team and serves as a Junior Member for the Maritime Law Journal. Jace is excited to get to work and help students discover the excitement that is Collegiate Mock Trial and contribute to Tulane University!
Jace Gravitt
We’d like to thank the head coach’s wife, Renee Hubbell. The program would not be where it is today without her.
