Unscripted Direct

Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer makes an absurd itinerary.  We discuss the first Berkeley-UCLA scrimmage. And Justin narrates as Spencer's lights keep going out while we record.
The Break (0:09:28). Results from the National Trial League Finals and Weekend One of the National Trial Competition.
Is Justice Jackson Guilty? (0:11:39). Justin crunches the case balance numbers from the first six regional competitions and shares three big takeaways.
Main Interview (0:22:26). Villanova coaches Steve Patton and Zack Wynkoop explain how they've achieved big success without big resources, how they transitioned from being student leaders to being coaches, and their front-row seat for a certain Philadelphia rivalry.
Predictions Contest (0:52:42). Robert Little falls behind, but that doesn't stop him from making fun of Phil Pasquarello. As they make their picks for NTC Weekend Two, Phil makes the first trade offer in predictions contest history. And Robert exercises discretion with the "Pasquarello Bump."   
Auditions for a New Sponsor (1:17:30). This time we make a pitch to the paper industry.

Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer and Justin get ready for their teams to scrimmage.
NTC Survey Results (0:02:44). What did coaches say about the case? The case changes? The enlargement rule? Do people like "live" witness -- or consider them a burden?
NTC Predictions Contest (0:29:31).  Baylor's Robert Little and Drexel's Phil Pasquarello make fun of each other for 30 minutes. They also spend a few minutes predicting the results for the first weekend of NTC regionals.
Auditions for a New Sponsor (1:02:26). After the Haagen Dazs rebuff, Justin and Spencer do an ad-read for a potential new sponsor.

Season six is underway!

Introduction (0:00:00). Justin shares some big news. Spencer attempts a bribe.  Tribute to Nancy Schultz (0:09:24). Stetson's Liz Boals, Nova's Joe Lester, and Chapman's John Bishop talk about their friend -- and in John's case, mentor -- Chapman's Nancy Schultz. Sponsorship Update (0:36:53). Justin asked Haagen Dazs to become an official sponsor of the show. They responded. Main Interview: Rick Levin (0:41:32). Northwestern's longtime coach shares his "dorkiest" closing argument, talks about getting booted from his law school trial team, describes working for a "lunatic," calls Spencer a "schmuck" ("but not in an insulting way"), and finishes with his best story.

P.S. If you'd like to receive email updates about the show (e.g., announcing new episodes), but you're not on the Trial Ad listserv, click here or go to www.unscripteddirect.com.

Hi Everyone!

Hope your holiday season has been relaxing and rejuvenating!  Just when you thought Season Five was over, we thought we'd interrupt your break with a little unscripted fun, with the second edition of our from-the-trenches reporting of the National Flash Trial Competition. 

Introduction (0:00:00).  Where has Justin gone?  And who is that in his seat?  Sam Chase joins as co-host.
Flash Is Back! (0:03:58).  UCLA undergraduate national champions Arneet Gurtatta, Sulaymaan Ali, Jad Soucar, and Kole Alfonso jump in to cover the action on the ground at the Second Annual National Flash Trial Competition, hosted by Berkeley Law.  6 different flash patterns...in 3 days...means excitement and exhaustion for all!
Wildly Inadmissible (0:53:39). Oh...that's where Justin went.  Weird. 

Special thanks to our sponsors for making the 2023 National Flash Trial Competition possible!  They are Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger; JAMS; Venable LLP; Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP; and King & Spalding.  

Our final episode of Season Five!

Introduction (0:00:00).  TYLA announces a good rule, and the ABA contemplates a bad rule. (To send a comment to the ABA, email [email protected] and refer to Standards 304, 405, 701, and 702. )
US News (0:05:40). With  ballots coming out soon, we examine statistical trends in the US News voting. What's changed about the way people vote? Do competition results matter more or less? And which school was the most underrated in the most recent USN trial advocacy rankings?
The Billion Dollar Man (0:14:11). Star trial lawyer Khaldoun Baghdadi talks about winning a billion dollar verdict ... but losing arguments to his teenage daughter.
Main Interview with A.J. Bellido de Luna (0:28:01). The St. Mary's director opens up about his ongoing fight with cancer.
Scripties! (1:04:31). We announce the community votes for Best Case, Swag, Banquet, Competition, and more.
Wildly Inadmissible (1:16:05). Judge Roberts makes an unusual fashion statement. 

Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer and his brother Jackson explain their recent multi-million dollar verdict -- and what it was like trying a case together. The Break (0:16:34). Final results from the Fall.  Who Won? Gavel Predictions Contest (0:18:21): Hofstra's Jared Rosenblatt announces the top 10 schools of the Fall, and Quinnipiac's Sean McGuinness and Ryan O'Neill find out who won their predictions contest. In the process, Justin asks Jared about his failing fantasy football team and whether he's worried about being ousted as Gavel CEO. How to Get Published (0:36:06). Stetson's Liz Boals, Campbell's Dan Tilly, and Texas Southern's Brandon Draper discuss how to choose a topic, how to write the article, and how to get published (and how to deal with the celebrity status when you do get published). Wildly Inadmissible (1:01:51). Grant Rost took his celebrated teaching drill a little too far.

Introduction (00:00). Spencer goes to trial (with his brother!), and Justin goes to a wedding.
The Break (04:13). Results from five competitions.
Scripties Preview (08:14). Click this link to vote for this Fall's best competitions.
Suggested Plagiarism (09:32). Rick Friedman has won three $100,000,000 verdicts and written five bestselling trial books, including Rules of the Road: A Plaintiff Lawyer’s Guide to Proving Liability and The Elements of Trial. He  discusses how and when to interview lay witnesses, how and why to "polarize" the case, and why the goal of cross-examination can be clarity, not contradiction.
Wildly Inadmissible (40:42). Cumberland's Matt Woodham has had an educational impact far greater than writing the last three Tournament of Champions cases ...

Introduction (0:00:00). Sam puts on a wedding ring, Spencer puts on a costume, and Justin puts on a tournament.  A new national competition (0:06:20). Find out the details! The Break (0:09:04). Results from four competitions! Where are they now? (0:11:36) Akron's Imokhai Okolo leaves a big firm and hangs his own shingle. Main Interview (0:21:31). McGeorge's Reza Rezvani tells us how he tried 15 civil cases in 2 years,  talks lesson stacking as a strategy for teaching, tells us stories of Jared Rosenblatt's youth, and may have the secret to beating Justin in basketball.  Wildly Inadmissible (1:06:20). Who is rumored to be the next 007?

Introduction (00:00). Spencer celebrates a birthday. Justin shares some big career news.
The Break (07:16). Results from four competitions!
Main Interview with Paige Boorman (09:01). Georgia State's director breaks into song, introduces "Sad Lunch" into mock trial lexicon, exaggerates her abilities as a markswoman, and humors Justin by playing a game called, "Georgia or Georgia State?"
Wildly Inadmissible (40:34). Did you know that Katie Powers and her family are embroiled in some major litigation?

Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer looks for his name in the footnotes. We preview the Tournament of Champions.
The Break (0:10:10). Results from Syracuse!
Main Interview with Stetson's Kate Donoghue (0:11:00).  Kate talks about surviving a bear attack that wasn't a bear attack, explains how Stetson got back to #1 in US News, shares some strong opinions about potato chips, and offers excuses for not listening to this podcast.
Author Interview (0:46:14). Spencer interviews Paul Bergman, Justin's Nutshell co-author, and tries to get him to criticize Justin.
Wildly Inadmissible (1:00:13).  Did you know that Joe Lester has another career?