Unscripted Direct

Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer and Justin discuss the national trial advocacy rankings published this month. Will some law schools have to shut down?

The Break (0:07:50). Results from Charleston's Court Martial Challenge and Chapman's National Criminal Trial Competition.

AAJ STAC Finals Preview (0:08:42). Can AAJ improve its judge turnout after last year's Finals shortage? How did AAJ change their case -- and their rules? And why does AAJ Finals always have more protests than NTC Finals?

AAJ STAC Finals Prediction Contest  (0:17:13). It's an all-Cumberland Competition, as Judge Roberts battles Sara Williams with a high stakes wager. We talk about Sara's new firm ... and Judge's NCAA eligibility case.

Ken Johnson Interview (0:39:00). Ken talks about his work on the STAC Committee, how he got into rodeo, and Boy Scouts.

Interview with Star Trial Lawyer Edwin Budge (0:58:40). The recent Washington Trial Lawyer of the Year talks about suing the police, winning civil rights victories for his clients, and his advice for young lawyers.

Mailbag (1:26:36). What's the best city for a mock trial competition? And what happens when they have a mechanical failure -- Spencer's mic is still working, but Justin can't hear him?

It’s no secret that companies are stealing from their workers. Wage theft is rampant in America, but plaintiffs’ attorneys like Shannon Liss-Riordan are fighting back. Shannon is one of the country’s top lawyers bringing employment class actions, and in today’s episode, she and Spencer discuss Shannon’s cases against companies like Uber and FedEx. Later, Boston College law student Marissa Lambert joins Spencer to unpack President Trump’s attacks on America’s law firms.

To learn more about upcoming plaintiffs’ law fellowship opportunities at Shannon’s firm, visit www.llrlaw.com or email: [email protected].

Sign the amicus brief opposing President Trump’s attacks on America’s law firms.

Suggestions for topics? Questions for our guests? Email the show at [email protected].

Learn more about plaintiffs’ law from the National Plaintiffs’ Law Association. Additional details on the NPLA’s Linktree. 

Introduction (0:00:00). Justin helps get a big verdict. (Here are links to the opening and closing.)

The Break (0:04:43 ). Results from four invitationals!

LSU's Bayou Challenge (0:05:45). Jeff C. Brooks survives an impeachment and puts Justin in his place.

Loyola Chicago's Dan K. Webb Competition (0:13:11). Adrienne D. Mebane and Mike J. Kitzman discuss their inaugural tournament, how they tested the case to make sure it was balanced, and why lawyers like using middle initials.

South Carolina's TNT (0:25:01). Brett H. Bayne talks about hosting large tournaments in consecutive weekends, his secret to judge recruitment, and why he served 700 energy drinks ... and a wedding cake. 

Mailbag (0:45:30). What was A.J. thinking with that email? How much of it was written by ChatPGT? And what Scripty Award has he already won?

Welcome to Cause of Action! On today’s inaugural episode, Spencer is joined by veteran plaintiffs’ attorney and Stanford Law lecturer Shanin Specter. They’ll discuss how law students can land the dream job—one that makes them happy, makes the world better, and  pays off those student loans (and then some). Later, Boston College Law student Marissa Lambert shares why she’s building a career in plaintiffs’ law.  

Suggestions for topics? Questions for our guests? Email the show at [email protected].

Learn more about plaintiffs’ law from the National Plaintiffs’ Law Association. Additional details on the NPLA’s Linktree. 

Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer has a new podcast.

Snowstorm and the $h!#-storm, Part 3 (0:06:20). TYLA rules on a request for relief.

The Break (0:13:24). Results from all 10 AAJ STAC Regionals.

STAC Recap (0:14:38). How did the AAJ STAC judge recruitment compare to the TYLA NTC judge recruitment? Were protests up or down? How was the case balance? And what's different about Nationals this year?

Predictions Contest Winner (0:23:22). Jeremy has excuses. Katie has a story about exhibits. Paige won't turn on her camera. 

Mailbag (0:35:23). What advice do you have for recruiting judges -- especially how far in advance to start recruiting judges? And what movie have you seen the most times?

Introduction (0:00:00). Follow-up from the Snowstorm and the $h!#-storm in NTC Region 2.

The Break (0:04:12). Results from the largest spring invitational.

AAJ STAC Preview (0:09:38). Spencer and Justin discuss AAJ's huge improvement since 2021 and the biggest storylines in this year's competition.

Conversation with AAJ Leadership (0:16:24). STAC Co-Chairs Rachel Sykes and Domenic Sanginiti, Jr. discuss this year's competition. What's the division of labor among their committee, AAJ staff, and NALAE volunteers? How's judge recruitment? Why did they change the invention rule? Who picked the sprinkler case? And does AAJ feel competitive with TYLA? 

STAC Predictions Contest (0:36:05). Three Georgians -- Mercer's Katie Powers, Georgia State's Paige Boorman, and Georgia's Jeremy Dailey -- make their picks. They also talk "gay hockey romance," kissing up for US News votes, who has a "real job, and whether Katie gets a do-over -- before Paige summarizes: "This is getting mean, and I don't care for it."

Mailbag Questions (1:10:03). How do you decide whether to protest?

Introduction (0:00:00). Back to the grind.

The Break (0:03:02). Results from seven NTC regionals and Nova's Shark Beach!

Disaster Strikes New York (0:05:08). A winter storm -- and some administrative decisions -- leaves four playoff teams eliminated from NTC without getting a playoff trial. The coaches aren't pleased. Adam Shlahet, Jared Rosenblatt, and Brian Hughes join us to discuss. 

Regionals Recap (0:45:06). What was different about this year's regionals? What does Justin wish he'd done differently with this year's case?

NTC Predictions Finale (0:51:00). Robert delivers a victory speech, reads Phil a poem, and sings him a song. Phil turns over a new leaf.

Mailbag (1:05:44). Three questions about assigning judges.

Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer goes skiing. Justin coaches 6th graders.

The Break (0:09:33). Results from Chester Bedell.

Tournament Spotlight: Shark Beach (0:10:50). Nova Southeastern's Joe Lester explains how he's changed the Nova program, names the weakest region he's coached in, and realizes he might need tournament insurance.

NTC Predictions Contest (0:29:13). Phil and Robert are back for the final weekend of predictions. They bring their usual civility and sportsmanship.

Mailbag (1:03:58). When is the right time to make a Golden Rule objection? And what is the biggest expense in making this show?

Introduction (0:00:00). Pints, walkouts, and opening statements.

The Break (0:06:07). Results from five NTC regionals.

NTC Case Balance (0:07:06). Did the State get the right yutes this time?

Nightmare Scenario (0:10:46). We ask four veteran hosts how they would solve a situation with no good solutions: Brett Bayne, A.J. Bellido de Luna, Kate Donoghue, and Josh Jones.

Main Interview (0:37:12). Jason Goss is a trial lawyer and the head coach of St. Mary's trial teams. He tells us about prosecuting a murderer / famous rapper on the lam, a 15-minute acquittal he won in a murder case in private practice, his stunning similarities to Harrison Ford, and how he won a “duffel bag of dip.”

Mailbag (1:19:38). What's the biggest small thing a host can do to improve their guests' experience?

Introduction (0:00:00). Rankings! 

The Break (0:04:08). Results from NTC Regionals and the National Trial League Finals.

NTC Case Balance Data (0:05:14). What did we learn from the first 450 ballots? 

In Defense of Our Judge, Part II (0:14:52). We do some "real" journalism! An update on Judge Roberts and the NCAA eligibility case.

NTC Predictions Contest (0:18:38). Who won Week 1? And who are they picking in the five regions happening this weekend?

Mailbag Question (0:48:18). When do you "lock" materials?