Unscripted Direct

Listener Mailbag (0:00:00) . Spencer is wrong about the law. Jeff Brooks wants credit for a bad idea. Justin's mother goes rogue. The Break (0:12:40) . Results from Hofstra's Medical Legal Competition and UCLA's Verdict. TYLA Responds (0:13:47) . In the first half of a two-part interview, members of the NTC committee join us to respond to the community letter -- signed by 100 coache...

Introduction (0:00:00) . Spencer thinks he's the victim of a robbery. Justin prepares for the Verdict. Projector-Gate (0:06:31) . Adam Shlahet joins the show to take credit (blame) for starting an email discourse about projectors. We discuss the future of technology in trial competitions. And Adam makes an alarming discovery. The Break (0:30:14) . Results from Best in Texas and Denver's...

Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer returns to the classroom. Justin takes tournament meals to a new level. And we preview the innovative new Summit Cup rules. The Break (0:10:48). Results from Battle of the Experts. Suggested Plagiarism (0:13:54).  Superstar trial lawyer Ashok Ramani talks about the Rule of Three and how he uses it in the some the country's most complex cases. Where Are They Now...

Introduction (0:00:00) . Spencer introduces a new map, Justin publishes a new book, and they discuss the "new" Fordham Rankings.  Main Interview with Phil Pasquarello (0:10:23).   Drexel's trial competition director talks about what it was like being coached by Jared Rosenblatt (and Justin), getting caught during a vulnerable moment at Top Gun, how he feels about turning into his fa...

Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer is in London. Justin is in America. The Break (0:06:31). Results from Berkeley's Flash Trial Competition, and a gaffe from one of Justin's students. Main Interview (0:11:51). Texas's Mike Golden gets grilled about being named one of Austin's most eligible bachelors (we have his dating video!). He tries to sidestep a question about UT's bigge...

(0:00:00) Introduction . On the eve of Berkeley's National Flash Trial Competition, Spencer  bemoans how exhausted he is from all that work done by others. (0:05:27) Fall Prediction Contest . Quinnipiac's Sean McGuiness and Ryan O'Neill each pick the schools they expect to have the best fall competition season. Ryan brags about his lips. Sean puts his marriage at risk. (0:25:24) Hap...

We're back! On the kickoff to this new season, Spencer and Justin: (00:00) Catch up on their summers. (05:17) Devise a horrible plan for improving the show's arbitrary Internet ranking. (12:07) Preview the 6 major storylines for the upcoming season. (25:43) Highlight community news -- new jobs, new titles, and new accolades -- and speculate about who will work for every US law school fir...

We thought Season 4 was over, but then ... Breaking news! The 2024 US News Rankings are out. And we've got instant analysis, hot off the presses. (0:00:00) Intro. Spencer and Justin wonder: Does this  count as actual journalism? Is this the episode that gets them a Pulitzer? (0:03:09) Dean Erwin Chemerinsky joins to talk about whether the new US News methodology is an actual improvement, why...

(0:00:00) Spencer plays golf and Justin announces a new competition. (00:07:07) Where Art Thou, US News? We discuss the delayed, further delayed, and now indefinitely delayed rankings. (0:15:06) Sara Peters. We get to know Spencer's colleague, who shares her winning trial strategies -- and an embarrassing story about Spencer. (0:35:01) Who's Going to Top Gun? Baylor's Rob Little ann...

(0:00:00) Spencer and Justin talk about how their programs are wrapping up this season — and what they’ll be hosting next season. (0:07:30) The Break: Results from GW’s Estrella and two inaugural competitions: the Crimson Cup at Harvard, and the Amicus Competition in Las Vegas. (0:08:41) She Killed the Cows. TYLA's Major Atina Stavropoulos joins us to discuss her work as a JAG attorney,  “nom...

(0:00:00) We say goodbye to Judge Roberts, but he doesn't want to leave. (0:11:23) The Break. Results from the Bayou, New Orleans, and San Antonio. Plus, some interesting case balance stats. (0:17:42) Howard's Hon. Adam Hunter.  In one of the most inspiring interviews we've had, Judge Hunter talks about coaching his alma mater, his new job as an administrative law judge, and the one...

Spencer is joined by Judge Jim Roberts (Cumberland Law), as they travel to both national competitions in one weekend!  In Part 2, they head to New Orleans for AAJ's Student Trial Advocacy Competition. They enjoy war stories from one of the Big Easy's most famous trial lawyers, interview AAJ's president and staff, chat with coaches, and eavesdrop on the trials and announcements. They...

Spencer is joined by Judge Jim Roberts (Cumberland Law), as they travel to both national competitions in one weekend!  In this episode — Part 1 — they start in San Antonio for TYLA’s National Trial Competition. They talk to coaches and students, interview Fellows from the American College of Trial Lawyers and leaders from the Texas Young Lawyers Association, and capture audio from the actual trial...

(0:00:01) Spencer enjoyed the ambience of a New York restaurant, but is rudely selective in his invite list.  Justin is busy in Westwood, and planning a hectic itinerary for the week.  Also we learn about a new character for next week’s episode.  (0:04:40)  The break.  (0:06:15)  Suggested Plagiarism.  Baylor Law’s Professor Jerry Powell steps out of retirement to teach us another lesson on how to...

(0:00:01) Spencer goes skiing, Justin and his students publish an unusual mock trial case, and we discuss the best sports upset of the week. (0:09:38) Two Nebraskans: Steve Schmidt, head coach of Nebraska's team, talks about their regional win and their nationals preparation. Spencer wears his Nebraska hat. (0:24:13) Secret to Success: We interview Dr. Ethan Hinds, the psychologist who helped...

(0:00:01) Spencer and Justin are relieved to learn that, despite the listserv eulogy, Rob McFarland is still alive. (0:11:18) The Break : Results from Trials and Tribulations. (0:11:58) Tournament Recap with Brett Bayne , who explains TNT's novel three-party format.  (0:26:11) Jonathan Miller describes his new career as a travel advocate for trial advocates. (0:36:24) Suggested Plagiarism: Bo...

(0:00:00) Spencer returns to the show. We somehow discuss whether public defenders should ever hire former prosecutors. (0:05:21) Mailbag! We answer listener questions: first about the etiquette of applying to a competition but declining an invitation -- and then some follow-up questions to Spencer's interview last week.  Justin gets to watch Spencer dance hip hop. (0:15:14) The Break : Resul...

To celebrate the 50th episode, we decided to mix it up. Spencer switches seats from co-host to interview guest, and Justin hosts solo. (0:00:00) Introduction. Justin has a few thoughts about Stanford. Spencer isn't there to stop him. (0:03:42) The Break . Results from Cap City. (0:04:10) Predictions are Hard . Mercer's Katie Powers and Stetson's Kate Donoghue forecast winners from a...

(0:00:00) Spencer enjoys a new closet. Justin enjoys a new family member.  (0:04:31) The Break : Results from Costello, Chester Bedell, and the last weekend of NTC regionals. Plus, a necropsy of the cows case. (0:13:04) Suggested Plagiarism: Liberty's Grant Rost teaches storytelling and socio-drama with the help of three  pigs and a wolf. (0:42:56) Predictions are Hard : The winner is exalted...

(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...

(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 : NT...

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 s...

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 F...

(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 ab...

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...