Unscripted Direct

For decades, Susan Poehls was a pillar of the trial advocacy education community. This episode celebrates her life and legacy. Created and produced by Spencer Pahlke, it includes interviews with her students, friends, coaches, and dean — as well as clips from Susan herself. (If you would like to hear the full interview with Susan, that's Episode 2 .)

Introduction (0:00:00). Loyola's Susan Poehls Celebration of Life. The Break (0:04:58). Results from Amicus Cup. Innovation Award (0:06:11) . The Award’s founder Todd Berger and two of this year’s winners -- Megan Daic and Dave Schott -- discuss their innovations, their favorite James Bond, and how they think Shlahet is pronounced. Tournament of Champions (0:20:40) . Judge Jim Roberts announc...

Here’s something people don’t often mention: As a plaintiffs’ attorney, you can work side by side with government litigators, taking on some of the most important issues in the country. Case in point, today’s guest: June Pineda Hoidal. June is a managing partner of Zimmerman Reed. The Minneapolis-based firm collaborates with public entities, and has fought back against the opioid epidemic, major p...

On today’s episode, Boston College 2L Marissa Lambert sits down with Angie Pati and Jonathan Koehler, law students at NYU and Rutgers. Angie and Jonathan discuss the ideals that brought them to law school, and how those values are leading them to careers on the plaintiff side. They detail the networking strategies that helped them find jobs, and Jonathan shares his secret for how to study for law...

Introduction (0:00:00). On the flight home, Justin spots a celebrity. US News Rankings (0:12:58). We've got 10 takeaways about the new rankings. NTC Breakdown, Part 2 (0:24:33). Jared, Robert, and Judge stick around to discuss Nationals case strategy. Talking with TYLA (0:48:06). NTC Co-Chairs Tim Adams and Hanna Lee discuss this year's National Finals -- including where it fell short --...

Introduction (0:00:00). A week after Justin said he loves packing, he makes a harrowing packing mistake. The Break (0:07:46). Results from NTC Nationals and the South Texas Challenge. Predictions Recap (0:08:57). Who's buying steaks? Who's buying sides? And has Cumberland gotten too professional? We ask the tough questions. Three of Our Favorite Listeners (0:18:50). Northwestern's o...

So far, we’ve been speaking with veteran attorneys—litigators who’ve spent decades taking on corporate giants. But today, we wanted to bring on someone who’s a little closer to law school. Someone who only recently went through the gauntlet of school, summer jobs, and studying for the bar – and who’s currently working as an associate at a plaintiffs’ firm. Jenna Forster is a fourth-year associate...

Introduction (0:00:00). Justin is in a great mood, and Spencer is still in India. Chatting with the Authors (0:08:59). Denver's Judge Madden, Stetson's Bobbie Flowers, and Fordham's Adam Shlahet talk about the first-ever NTC Nationals criminal case written by coaches. They discuss how they created the music, whether the case is too political, and why they gave the State a rebuttal w...

Introduction (0:00:00). Why is Spencer in India? The Break (0:06:34). Results from STAC Nationals and Cap City. AAJ Report Card (0:07:42). What went well? What needs to improve? AAJ Predictions Recap (0:18:02). How badly did Sara Williams defeat Judge Roberts? What excuses does he have? AAJ Strategies Revealed (0:30:34). Now that the competition is over, three top coaches -- Northwestern's Jo...

You often hear that summer jobs in law school can lay the foundation for your career. Which is kind of terrifying. It creates the impression that your decisions as a 1L can determine the entire course of your life. But here's the truth: your career is not going to be a straight line. Just ask today’s guest, Rob Bilott. Rob started as a defense attorney. But he’s gone on to bring major environ...

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...

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...

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...

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 pla...

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 y...

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 Sangin...

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. ...

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...

I ntroduction (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). Ja...

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 wh...

Mailbag (0:00:00). When is the last day of the year when it's appropriate to say "Happy New Year"? Catching Up (0:03:25).  A basketball roadtrip, lying at the poker table, and staying optimistic amid terrifying world events. The Break (0:15:37). A new national champion. In Defense of Our Judge (0:16:27) . Judge Jim Roberts was well known to the trial advocacy community. Now he'...

Naughty (Witnesses), Nice (Scripties), and NTC (Case Teasers): Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer and Justin go to Seattle. Why? Bad facts... America's Next Top Trial Lawyer (0:04:13). Cash for closings! Students can visit the website to participate or learn more. The Break (0:05:25). Results from National Trial League and college football. Coach Roundtable (0:08:50) . Why are more witnesses mis...

You can still vote for the Scripties!  Click here to vote by December 7. Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer is not on a boondoggle. Justin thinks Thanksgiving food is overrated. The Break (0:05:46). Results from Loyola's National Civil Trial Competition. Promotion (0:06:42) . Kate Donoghue describes the scholarship -- and alliteration -- that helped earn her tenure track position at Stetson. US...

Click here to vote in the Fall 2025 Scripty Awards! Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer likens himself to a rockstar. Justin is humbled by a trampoline. The Break (0:05:22). Results from five competitions -- including Georgia's national championship in the 64-team All Star Bracket Challenge! Interview with star trial lawyer Tom Breen (0:08:46). How the Seattle trial lawyer got a big win despite s...

Introduction (0:00:00). "Calm down, Donna Sue." The Break (0:12:24). Results from all five Premiere sites, Chicago Cup, Georgetown's White Collar, and Hofstra's Medical Legal. Which two schools are having historically good seasons? Michael Cowen (0:16:15). The star trial lawyer, and host of Trial Lawyer Nation, talks about why he left Big Law to become a plaintiff's lawyer...