Unscripted Direct

(00:01) Introduction. (02:50) The Break. Results from Stetson's National Pretrial Competition, All Star Bracket, and All Star National. We also announce the winner of Mock Madness! (07:48) Tournament Spotlight. We chat with Buffalo's Jennifer Scharf about surfing, wine, and whether the wings in Buffalo really are better (we also ask her a few questions about the Buffalo Niagara tournament). (24:35) Question of the Week. Stetson's new phenom coach Kate Donoghue v. Baylor's returning champion Liz Fraley. We talk about mega-millions. (45:55) Debate Update. We provide an update on the Adam-Jared rankings debate. (47:20) Here's Some Advice. Spencer introduces a brand new expression that isn't at all a cliche.

(0:00:01) Introduction. Spencer gets to a reunion. Justin gets COVID.  (0:06:40) The Break. Results from Denver's Summit Cup.  (0:08:07) Tournament Spotlight. A preview of the country's largest invitational competitions.  (0:11:46) Question of the Week. Campbell's Tatiania Terry v. Wake Forest's Ashley DiMuzio. These two have history! Their schools are in-state rivals, and they competed against each other repeatedly in law school. We talk about a dog named Nike, dirt on Mark Boynton, QOTW scouting, and coaching advice. (0:28:21) 12 Angry Minutes. He's baaaaaack. Hofstra's Jared Rosenblatt rants and raves about weaknesses in U.S News rankings and the Fordham rankings ...  before announcing his own set of national rankings! Jared explains his Gavel Rankings on the show, with plans to release them tomorrow.  (0:59:41) Here's Some Advice. Justin doubles down on certain travel advice.

On this week's episode:

(0:00:01) Introduction. Spencer has a powerful class session, Justin misses a tournament, and TYLA announces that 2023 regional hosts have a choice: in person or online. (0:12:45) The Break. Results from Battle of the Experts! And some interesting phrasing from Spencer... (0:15:49) Tournament Spotlight: Denver's Kevin Keyes previews Summit Cup '22 -- and dishes about his career as a professional actor. (0:39:47) Question of the Week. Our first quarterfinal! It's Loyola's John Henry v. St. Mary's Jason Goss. We talk about FBI raids, the New York Mets, and annoying judges. (1:03:13) The Big Interview with Kellie Casey. Georgia's advocacy director talks about why she left criminal practice, having her parents as clients, coaching her classmates' children, her favorite icebreakers, repeatedly beating UCLA, and a potential career as a matchmaker. (1:48:47) Here's Some Advice. Justin gets competitive, and Spencer gets philosophical.

On this week's episode: (0:00:01) Introduction. The new list of "Top 45 Law School Podcasts" is out. Plus, good suggestions from listener Ashley Menage of South Texas.  (00:09:37)  Tournament Spotlight. Drexel's Phil Pasquarello tells us about all the changes to this year's Battle of the Experts, shares a new wrinkle to the Drexel-Temple rivalry, and explains what it's like being one of two Kline Schools of Law.  (00:36:25) Question of the Week (updated bracket here). In our final play-in round, It's Bear versus Bear, as Baylor's Liz Fraley and Stephen Rispoli answer an absurd question about the movies.  (01:02:03) NTC Update! TYLA's Ashley Hymel and Tim Adams get specific about the new NTC rules, announce one new rule that wasn't in Bree Trevino's update ... and share their thought on Draper Memo proposals. (01:47:38) Here's Some Advice. If you're planning to commit a crime -- and we hope you're not -- Justin has some advice about what not to do.

Flash Trial results. Clash between Campbell faculty.  Backlash from the now-infamous Draper Memo.

On this week's episode:  (0:00:01) Introduction. Spencer recaps a successful weekend hosting the National Flash Trial Competition, as teams show what they can do with just 60 minutes to prepare a case. Justin recaps a whirlwind weekend where he got to say "May it Please the Court" -- and where his mother called him "expendable." (0:18:48) Question of the Week. It's an all-Campbell play-in round, featuring competition director Tatiana Terry versus visiting professor Kaelyn Romey.  We ask a crucial question: what makes for the best tournament swag? (0:30:30) Much Ado About Something. The Federalist Papers. The Communist Manifesto. And, now, the Draper Memo. We invite Baylor's Robert Little to help us dissect the geopolitical impact of the most controversial document ever shared on a 300-person list-serve. (1:33:37) Here's Some Advice. Spencer offers advice for everyone -- while taking a shot at his co-host.

The trial competition season begins this week! And so does our Question of the Week  competition.

In this episode: (00:36) Season Storylines: Spencer and Justin preview six big storylines for the new competition season. (13:24) Question of the Week: It's teammate v. teammate. Cumberland's Matt Woodham v. Spenser Templeton. We interrogate Matt about his celebrity doppelganger and Spenser about a certain shrine in her room -- before turning to the single elimination Question of the Week.  (29:40) National Flash Trial Competition: Berkeley kicks off the season with its time-pressured competition. An inside look at what makes this tournament (very, very) different. (48:16) Here's Some Advice.

Welcome to Season 3! (0:00:38) Wins, Weddings, and What's Next. Spencer and Justin catch up on their summer exploits -- and preview their plans for this season of the podcast. Spoiler: Question of the Week is back, but with a twist. (0:14:24) New Faces, New Places. We publicize some directors and coaches in new roles and chat with three of them: McGeorge's Annie Deets, Texas's Mike Golden, and South Texas's Brandon Draper. (0:49:51) The Big Interview: Cumberland's Judge Jim Roberts calls his mom a "jerk" (in a good way, we promise), identifies who he would like to "spank," talks about whether he is a "unicorn," admits to a "nerdy" hobby, explains what he might have "hypothetically" thrown at students, and more.  (1:44:37) Here's Some Advice. We finish with  words of wisdom from Spencer.

Ending the season with some fun! (0:00:49) Introduction. A bet is a bet, EATS awards, Fall Zoom predictions, and “Mr. Pahlke, you’re unprepared, son.”  (0:12:07) TOC invitations.  Judge Roberts announces the 16 schools invited to Tournament of Champions 2022.  (0:21:50) EATS Preview. Liz Boals shares what’s in store at Stetson's summer conference.  (0:27:08) Fingers crossed! We ask Rich Schoenberger of Walkup Melodia Kelly and Schoenberger to renew our sponsorship for another season. He wonders what a more over-the-top version of the podcast might look like … and, to his horror, we show him.  (0:51:28) Question of the Week. A new song, a return to our roots, and two "highlight reels."  (0:56:29) Happy Mother’s Day! Spencer’s mom Penny settles the debate about the origin of Spencer’s name. Justin’s mom Anita talks about mock trial care packages. And both moms talk about motherhood, retirement, their favorite things to do with their sons, ... and how often they listen to the podcast.

They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. This week's motion in limine puts that to the test ... (0:00:37) Spencer performs manual labor, and Justin recommends a TV show. (0:04:12) Mailbag. We answer two good questions and one mean one from TYLA's Brandon Draper.  (0:08:30)  Breaking News! Baylor's Rob Little announces the 16 schools that will compete in Top Gun 2022.  (0:09:19)  Motion in Limine. Drexel's Phil Pasquarello talks about Fresh Cut Friday; he explains how a mock trial led to a real job; and he defames Justin with a story about a Californian in Philadelphia weather. Then, in our final motion in limine, Phil asks the best question of the season: "What's your favorite movie? But here's the catch. You have to answer as each other."  (0:41:34)  Big Interview. Jerry Powell talks about his nearly 50 years in the law. How he won his first case before going to law school. His now-famous law school mock trial teammates. His iconic white three-piece suit. His particular brand of professorial tough love (spoiler: it involved kicking unprepared students out of class). Whether Rob Little's and Dan Tilly's anecdotes about him are true. And some words to live by: "There are no small cases. They're all important to somebody."

It's a monster episode! (0:01:35) We start with our "greatest achievement" and then discuss a competition oddity. (0:10:35) The Break. We talk about the intense format of South Carolina's Trials and Tribulations, announce results, and share some wisdom from a final round judge. (0:17:12) Motion in Limine. Kellie Casey talks about her two decades at Georgia and her beloved Bulldog football team, before posing a question that ends up involving politics, small animals, and some good advice. (0:36:24) Don't Judge a Book by its Co-Author. Justin is just one half of the writing duo behind Championship Mock Trial: The Guide for Students and Coaches. I interview his much better half, Judge David Nelmark, and we take turns teasing Justin. (Also: if you want a 40% discount on the book, use code CMTSTU2022.) (0:56:27) The Rankings. We talk with four law school deans -- Drexel's Dan Filler, Loyola-Chicago's Zelda Harris, Ohio Northern's Charlie Rose, and Baylor's Brad Toben -- about the U.S. News trial advocacy rankings. How are the rankings determined? Do they work? Do they matter? To whom?