Unscripted Direct

(0:00:00) Spencer reflects on his return to coaching and talks about a new NALAE survey. (0:13:15) The Break: Who won the seven regions this past weekend? Who killed the cows (i.e.,  updated case balance numbers)? And where did all the judges go? (0:17:30) Suggested Plagiarism: Ben Rubinowitz is a star trial lawyer -- four-time winner of Best Lawyers' Lawyer of the Year and selected to the Inner Circle of Advocates. With Spencer as his test subject, he explains how to make bad facts really hurt on cross.  (0:46:14) Predictions are Hard. Last weekend, Rob and Phil experienced about as much pain as two coaches can endure. But these troopers still came on to make their predictions for a decisive Week 3. (1:01:39) Mailbag! We answer reader questions about attire, re-cross, banquets, and more. (1:08:59) Here's an Idea. Spencer tries to solve a problem by making it much, much worse.

(0:00:00) Spencer travels the country. Justin searches for a missing judge. (0:05:02) The Break: Results from the first six  regionals -- and the case balance numbers from NTC Week 1. (0:08:45)  Suggested Plagiarism: Houston's Judge Christine Weems explains how she teaches jury selection. It involves Barack Obama, popcorn, Twitter, and Jennifer Lawrence. (0:38:14)  Hanging with the Hagan: NTC Committee Member Dave Hagan talks about "points of advocacy," the surprise physical evidence for regionals, and a recent conversation about re-cross. (0:58:19) Predictions are Hard: After a rough Week 1, Robert revises his strategy by trying to get in Phil's head. They pick the Week 2 regions -- including their own! (1:22:40) Here's an Idea: Spencer asks for too much transparency.

The NTC season begins this week, and so does the fourth season of Unscripted Direct.

• (0:00:00) We catch up on our winter break achievements.  Spencer won a jury trial. Justin watched good TV.
• (0:08:23) The Break: At the National Trial League finals, one coach makes history.
• (0:10:11) Suggested Plagiarism: In our new segment, we interview (and steal ideas from) world-class advocacy teachers about some of their favorite teaching techniques. Our first guest is Baylor Professor Jeremy Counseller.
• (0:31:44) NTC Preview: We discuss the cows case and TYLA's new feedback model. Also, Spencer buries the lede -- he's coaching again!
• (0:36:03) Predictions are Hard: In the show's new prediction contest, Baylor's Rob Little and Drexel's Phil Pasquarello join to make predictions about NTC Regionals 2023. They decide to place a side wager with real consequences...
• (1:09:52) Here's an Idea: Spencer suggests a  segment where we offer up new ideas each week for the other's consideration. You can guess what Justin thought about that idea.

In our final episode of the semester, we focus on US News rankings -- with the help of two very special guests.

(0:00:01) Intro. Spencer celebrates Thanksgiving. Justin becomes an uncle. And we chat with Spencer's law partner, Valerie Rose, who shares an embarrassing fact about Spencer. (0:21:55) The Break. We recap results from the Daniel Competition -- and reveal the Top 10 schools in the Fall 2022 Gavel Rankings! (0:25:07) Judge David Erickson offers his thoughts on US News rankings, argues that mock trial is no more competitive today than 40 years ago, and divulges his boot camp training secrets. (0:48:56) What do US News voters actually care about? Justin crunches the numbers. (1:02:42) Erwin Chemerinsky. We interview the most famous dean in the country about the recent withdrawals from US News -- and what it might mean for trial advocacy. (1:31:22) Here's Some Advice: Spencer goes marital. 

(0:00:01) Introduction. Spencer recalls a momentous experience, and Justin acknowledges a personal defeat.  (0:10:15) The Break. Results from Case Classic, National Trial League, All Star Bracket Nationals, the Kelly Competition, and -- most importantly -- the 281st Judicial Division in Texas. (0:14:04) Tournament Preview: Georgia State's Daniel Competition, with Paige Boorman. We learn about the tournament's history -- and try to guess the three things you can do to get disqualified. (0:31:08) Question of the Week Championship Round. Baylor's Liz Fraley and Campbell's Tatiana Terry answer a Thanksgiving question ... and are judged by contestants they defeated.  (0:46:36) The Scriptie Awards. Who won best trophy? best swag? best banquet? And the other 10 categories? (1:00:58) Here's Some Advice. Justin gives some ... colorful advice.

It's Election Week in America -- the perfect time for our first no-holds-barred debate...

(0:00:01) Introduction. Spencer goes door to door in Reno. Justin stumps for the Scripties.  Click here to vote! Voting closes Sunday at midnight, and the winners will be announced next week. (0:05:44)  The Break. Results from Quinnipiac's Criminal Competition and Loyola's National Civil Trial Competition. Can Spencer get Justin to take some truth serum?  (0:10:11) Preview - All Star Finals.  Liz Boals tells us when she first felt at home at Stetson, what she has planned for EATS, and why she has so many jumper cables in her office. (0:24:59) Preview - Case Classic with Lauren Tuttle. Did you know Case Western finished 5th in the 2022 Gavel Rankings? That they just did their first Fall external tournament? Or that they enter five teams in their competition?  (0:33:34) The Debate. Whose rankings are better, Fordham's TCPR or  Hofstra 's Gavel Rankings? We let Adam Shlahet and Jared Rosenblatt settle this in the only appropriate format: a trial. (1:12:19) Here's Some Advice. Spencer goes below the belt.

(0:00:01) Introduction. Spencer goes trick-or-treating. Justin recruits some celebrity judges for Tournament of Champions. (0:07:58) The Break. Results from St. John's, Georgetown White Collar, and Tournament of Champions. Spencer asks Justin about the UCLA threepeat -- and whether they will be hosting for the next two years.  (0:13:51) National Civil Trial Competition with Loyola's Susan Poehls. Susan explains how she obtained the same courthouse that Justin couldn't -- and how she's had to be creative in hosting this year's tournament. We then cold-call the professor, asking her to resolve hypothetical protests. (0:43:08) Question of the Week. The semifinal round between Baylor's Liz Fraley and Loyola's John Henry.  (1:07:53) The Big Interview: Northwestern's Josh Jones. Josh talks about growing up in -- and now returning to -- Chicago, how he excelled in the courtroom despite being "shy," what he learned from Judge Erickson, his career as a public defender, what it's like following in the footsteps of a legend at Northwestern, and his side gig as a singer. Come for the interview, stay for the music.  (1:56:00) Here's Some Advice. Justin shares some practical advice, and Spencer announces his plan to ignore it.

(0:00:01) Introduction. Spencer and Justin set the table. (0:02:30) The Break. Results from three tournaments and a controversy at one. (0:06:52) Preview: Tournament of Champions. Spencer offers a sharp critique. Justin explains why UCLA decided to enter a team while hosting. And we preview the Fall's most difficult competition. (0:36:01) Question of the Week. In our first semifinal, Cumberland's Spenser Templeton faces Campbell's Tatiana Terry. We ask them to brag. (0:51:08) Big Interview: Suffolk's Tim Wilton. Tim tells us about 50 years of practicing law and 47 years of teaching it. He survives an interruption from uninvited guests. And he denies working as animal lawyer even though it's on his bio. (1:45:41) Here's Some Advice. Spencer is feeling inspired.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled podcast listening routine with a special bonus episode!  My trial competition class out here in Berkeley is coming to a close soon, and flash trials are in the cool autumn air.  Seemed like a perfect time to broadcast the episode that tells the triumphs and almost-triumphs that made up the story of the first-ever National Flash Trial Competition.  This is also the first-ever Unscripted Direct with guest hosts—Yonatan, Jack, and Ben from Mt. Tamalpais High School in the Bay Area.

In this episode, our guest hosts:

• Embed with teams competing in the competition, finding out how different schools had different approaches to preparing a full trial in just 60 minutes.  
• Boldly predict the winner.  Did they get it right?
• Relatedly, break down how UCLA won the competition.  Have they cracked the UCLA code?
• Deal with a close encounter of the cell-phone kind. 

(0:00:01) Introduction. Spencer announces a bonus episode. Justin has a big date. We provide updates on a cheating scandal. And we introduce the "Scripties." (0:07:07) The Break.  Three sets of tournament results: Buffalo, MLF Davis, and California Association of Criminal Justice.  (0:09:03) El Presidente. NALAE's new president, A.J. Bellido de Luna, answers the tough questions about the organization's past and chats about his hopes for its future. (0:41:09) Question of the Week. Chicago-Kent's Ana Montelongo v. Cumberland's Spenser Templeton.  (0:51:43) Main Interview with Jared Rosenblatt. Was he always blunt, even as a child? Did it ever get him into trouble? Why did Justin give him the nickname "Clarice"? What did Jared say in his first meeting with the first team he ever coached? What can Jared tell us about his year at Drexel? How does he respond to the allegation that he once made an AAJ representative cry?  (1:40:40) Here's Some Advice. Justin has a suggestion for all the teachers out there.