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Introduction (0:00:00). Scandal in the Feedspot podcast rankings! We have three (or four) simple solutions. The Break (0:06:13). Results from Drexel Kline’s Battle of the Experts and Tex-ABOTA’s Best in Texas voir dire competition.  All Star Preview (0:08:02). We preview the largest fall invitational. Interview: Megan Daic (0:11:17). St. Mary's new assistant director talks about her new job -- and the competitions she plans to develop. Interview: Jo Perini-Abbott (0:27:15). Lewis & Clark's director discusses her election to the Oregon bench, how far Lewis & Clark has come in just a few years since a major program expansion, and what's next for the school as she moves to her new position.  Interview: HT Smith (0:44:01). The Florida International trial ad director -- and renowned trial lawyer -- discusses his stand against corruption in his school's dean selection. Mailbag (1:09:16). Should schools allow their alums to judge when their own team is competing?

Introduction (0:00:00). Coffee shops that charge for wifi?! The Break (0:03:40). Results from Flash. Battle of the Experts Preview .... Without Phil (0:04:59). Baylor's Robert Little, Stetson's Kate Donoghue, and South Carolina's Brett Bayne join us to make fun of the tournament host (and also talk about what makes the tournament so good).  Main Interview: Donnie Anderson (0:36:40). Ohio Northern's trial ad director tells the story of getting cut from the Stetson trial team; explains how he worked for two law firms without either finding out about the other; plays Stetson-ONU trivia; addressed whether he’s going to Barry; and reveals that Ohio Northern uses Justin's book!  Mailbag (1:15:32). Four questions for the price of one: arm wrestling, mocking, fighting, and flashing.

Introduction (0:00:00). Trial prep, dinner, sabotage, mystery outfits, and a preview of the National Flash Trial Competition. The Break (0:09:00). Results from all three First Chair sites. Interview with Mark Mandell (0:11:17). The star trial lawyer talks about this 51 years in the courtroom, his famous Case Framing Method, and the new Mandell Trial Program at Roger Williams Law. Mock Trial the Movie (0:41:25). Jess McKenna and Zack Reino talk about their own experience with mock trial, why they decided to bring mock trial to the big screen, and where you can see it! (Check our their website for dates and locations: https://mocktrialthemovie.com.) Mailbag (1:13:26). What's your most painful mock trial loss?

Introduction (0:00:00). Justin puts his foot in his mouth. Spencer fibs to a photographer. First Chair Preview (00:16:52). We discuss the expansion to three sites -- and catch up with the three hosts: Georgia State's Paige Boorman, Drexel's Phil Pasquarello, and Chapman's John Bishop. The Expert Who Got Caught (0:43:01). We interview Will Moye, the lawyer who deposed and cross-examined the witness who got caught using ChatGPT to write his expert report. Mailbag (1:09:21). Which community members would be the best roadtrip buddies?

Season 11 starts now! Summer Recap (0:00:00). EATS, a bizarre tournament application, losing the license to kill, and being polite to robots: we remember the community's biggest and silliest events from the summer. Chatting with the Champs (0:16:52). Berkeley's Top Gun winner Becca Goren -- along with coach Aaron Laycook and second chair Dylan Hughes -- talks about how her high school coach didn't recruit her, vents about how her Top Gun teammates ditched her during the tournament, showcases her hidden elbow talent, and shares what she did with the $10,000. Season Preview (0:45:16). Spencer and Justin forecast the four major storylines for the new season. Interview: Syracuse's Tyler Jeffries (0:55:47). The season's first competition is the National Trial League, and we talk to its director -- about cheerleading, adult kickball, being coached by Joanne Van Dyke, and trying to keep up with all of Todd Berger's tournament ideas. Mailbag (1:25:31). What is your number one piece of coaching advice?

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 announces the 16 schools invited to TOC 2026. But first he discusses Cumberland’s unusual boot camp and one of this year's applicants: his daughter. Gavel Rankings (0:34:28). Hofstra’s Jared Rosenblatt announces this year’s Top Ten – and a change to next year’s ranking format. Top Gun Invitations (0:43:36). Baylor's Robert Little announces the 16 schools invited to Top Gun ... and celebrates his first few days of fatherhood! NALAE (0:58:45). Come for the discussion with outgoing president Dave Schott and incoming president Liz Boals. Stay for the trivia competition they didn't know was happening. Exonerated (1:12:41). Star trial lawyer John Raley describes how he won a reversal for a man wrongfully convicted of murder.  The Scripties! (1:36:50) Our annual awards: Best Banquet, Best Case, Favorite Tournament, Director/Coach of the Year, and more!

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 polluters, and the Trump administration, just to name a few. June unpacks what it’s like to bring government cases from within a private firm. Later, Spencer sits down with 2L Marissa Lambert for a check-in on finals and the upcoming summer. 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.

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 school while you’re asleep. 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). 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 -- and what's next for NTC. Chatting with the Champs (1:13:00). We talk to UMKC's coaches Michaelle Tobin and Alexandria Serra and advocates Kaleb Miller, Karima Burns, and Bethany Halstead. They share the secrets to their success, the beginnings of their opening statements ... and some amazing stories about each other. Is it getting a little misty in here? Mailbag (1:44:00). Two questions: one from an "anonymous" NTC case author, one about US News.

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 outstanding NTC team -- Caroline Kulits, Farah Mavrakis, and Bridget Maston -- have been listening to the show for years. Now they're on the show. NTC Breakdown, Part 1 (0:36:19). Hofstra's Jared Rosenblatt, Cumberland's Judge Roberts and Baylor's Robert Little join to discuss what went well at NTC Nationals ... and what didn't. America's Next Top Trial Lawyer (0:16:30). Sacramento DA Thien Ho announces the results. Who won their nationwide closing argument competition? Mailbag (1:24:08). Is A.J. Bellido de Luna responsible for the show's "comeback"?

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 at Motley Rice. In just a short time, she’s already worked on cases taking on opioid manufacturers, vape companies, and social media platforms. Jenna joins Spencer to discuss her path into plaintiffs’ law, and what her day-to-day work is actually like. She also makes a strong pitch for joining your law school’s mock trial team. 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 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 witness. NTC Nationals Predictions Contest (0:39:53). Texas's Mike Golden and South Carolina's Brett Bayne predict who will win in Dallas, debate whether birds are real, and discuss whether it's unprofessional to bet on the professionalism award. Main Interview: Craig Roen (1:01:33). Minnesota's coach and director explains how he won more than a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements, how "the universe" talked him into retiring from practice, and how he got "snookered" into coaching mock trial.  Mailbag Question (1:28:38). What advice do you have for an experienced trial lawyer who's teaching trial advocacy for the first time? Bonus! (1:34:30). The first public release of a prior (NSFW) version of Chris Luddock's "Get Out the Way."

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 Josh Jones, Mercer's Katie Powers, and Drexel's Phil Pasquarello -- share the theories, themes, and strategies that helped propel their teams to victory. (Justin shares UCLA's strategies, too.) Unfair or Fair Game? (0:53:39). Temple's Jules Epstein discusses his recent article about ethics in criminal mock trials, especially in the context of NTC's State v. Jones and Jones. Liz Boals joins to offer her perspective. We cold call the professors, asking them to answer some hypotheticals. Rebuttal (1:30:43). Zach Wynkoop's Villanova team was the unnamed subject of Jules's article. He responds. Mailbag Question (1:41:28). Whose tech failure is responsible for last week's mailbag debacle? (Spoiler: It wasn't Spencer.)

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 environmental class actions against chemical companies, and helped expose the truth about toxic "forever chemicals." Rob’s book Exposure chronicles the fight. Hollywood even made a movie about his work. 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.