Unscripted Direct
Conversations with the law school trial advocacy community. Hosted by Spencer Pahlke (shareholder at Walkup Melodia and trial advocacy director at UC Berkeley School of Law) and Justin Bernstein (director of trial advocacy at UCLA School of Law).
Episodes
100 episodes
Episode 100 - The Roast!
Introduction (0:00:00). Sounds like this episode has a lot of hosts...The Break (0:02:33). Results from Tournament of Champions, Michigan, St. John's, Syracuse, Gold Cup, and Davis MLK.The Moms (0:06:53). Spen...
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Season 7
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Episode 9
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1:07:17
Episode 99 - From the Courtroom to Campaign Trail
It's election season! This episode features two trial lawyers -- and mock trial veterans -- who used their courtroom skills to get elected as district attorneys. TOC Preview (0:00:00). Who are the new teams? What's the new rule...
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Season 7
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Episode 8
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1:00:36
Episode 98 - Murder in Waco
Introduction (0:00:00). Justin gets mocked. The Break (0:03:15). Results from Summit, National Pretrial, and Buffalo. Ravioli as Fiction and Truth (0:05:38). Baylor's Jerry Powell talks about
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Season 7
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Episode 7
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1:08:27
Episode 97 - Nothing Off Limits (Main Interview with Dave Schott)
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer has two family members in trial. Did they consult him for advice? The Short List (0:03:25). Stetson's Kate Donoghue talks about Hurricane Helene, shares the good news of her promotion, and evalu...
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Season 7
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Episode 6
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1:24:35
Episode 96 - Theory of Negativity (with 3 guests and 5 cameos!)
Introduction (0:00:00). Knock-knocks and birthdays.Win, Lose, or Drawl (0:03:23). In a reaction to last week's episode, four Lone Star listeners teach Justin how to talk like a Texan.The Break (0:08:52). Results fro...
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Season 7
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Episode 5
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1:04:20
Episode 95 - Filmed Before A Live Studio Audience
Introduction (0:00:00).The Break (00:01:41). Results from First Chair New York, First Chair San Diego, and Tex-ABOTA's Voir Dire Competition.Vexatious Litigants (0:03:42). Mercer's Katie Powers argues that teams sho...
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Season 7
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Episode 4
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1:08:48
Episode 94 - Stetson Legend Bobbi Flowers (and a spicy new debate segment!)
Introduction (0:00:00). One tournament ends, another begins, and a third is resurrected. The Break (0:14:34). Results from Berkeley's FlashTrials.Vexatious Litigants (0:15:46). In the first installment of our new de...
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1:35:45
Episode 93 - "If It Happens to One..."
Introduction (0:00:00). Speaking slowly, competing quickly... "...It Happens to All of Us" (0:04:14) Northwestern's Josh Jones and DePaul's Theo Thomas discuss how to more effectively coach Black students and how to build a mo...
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1:09:52
Episode 92 - Homecoming (Dan Tilly returns to Baylor)
It's Season 7!Season Preview (0:00:00). Justin and Spencer preview the six major storylines for the upcoming year, including some big news: Which three coaches will be writing the NTC regionals case? Which three coaches will be writi...
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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1:12:17
Episode 91 - Summer Heat (Interview with TYLA & ACTL Leadership)
The podcast was supposed to be on vacation ... but we interrupt this summer break for an important update! On May 1 (Episode 89), we covered the witness incident at NTC Nationals. On May 15, TYLA circulated a statement about the incident. We ha...
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Season 6
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Episode 16
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1:46:20
Episode 90 - "I Want to Mostly Thank Myself"
Introduction. We follow up on last week's NTC critiques and unveil some new competitions.Gavel Rank...
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Season 6
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Episode 15
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1:35:11
Episode 89 - The Bernstein Bear (Main Interview with Justin Bernstein)
Introduction. Spencer hosts solo! The Break (0:02:07). Results from UCLA's Amicus Cup and GW's Estrella -- as well as Stetson's 2024 EATS awards. Anger Translator (0:03:48). President Obama had
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Season 6
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Episode 14
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1:45:04
Episode 88 - Thomas R. Kline
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer knocks on doors. Justin holds tryouts. Main Interview: Thomas R. Kline (0:07:37). The Jim Beasley Story. The Pizza Kelly Story. The Third Chair Story. The "Birthday Present to Myself" Stor...
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Season 6
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Episode 13
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1:10:33
Episode 87 - Hijacked
Introduction (00:00). Spencer visits New York. Justin revisits a past mistake.The Break (06:23). Results from STAC Nationals, NTC Nationals, and the San Fernando Valley Competition.Recap from Both Nationals...
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Season 6
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Episode 12
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55:19
Episode 86 - Nationals Preview!
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer and Justin answer questions from listeners.Nationals Predictions (0:08:14). Brett Bayne and A.J. Bellido de Luna predict the winners at NTC and AAJ Finals . A.J. tries to ...
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Season 6
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Episode 11
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1:12:34
Episode 85 - The Uber Driver Who Knew A Lot About Mock Trial (Interview with Katie Powers)
Introduction. (00:00:01) Spencer's newest project: The Bay Area Trial League. Justin's newest project: the burger he ate afterwards.The Break. (00:10:54) Results from four competitions -- including some not yet announced on th...
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Season 6
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Episode 10
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59:05
Episode 84 - How to Lose Like a Champion
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer and Justin discuss how they conduct tryouts, and it leads to a broader conversation about how they structure their respective programs at Berkeley and UCLA. The Break (0:14:45). Oops. Losin...
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Season 6
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Episode 9
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1:28:48
Episode 83 - Meet the Parents (An Incredible Interview with Megan Chaney)
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer talks about bunk beds. The Break (0:03:51). Results from Queens DA and AAJ Regionals. Predictions Contest (0:06:03). Katie Powers and Sara Williams return to find out who won. Kat...
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Season 6
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Episode 8
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1:30:29
Episode 82 - "You're A Pain In My Ass!" (plus: AAJ Preview and Predictions!)
The Break (0:00:00). Results from South Carolina's Trials and Tribulations and LSU's Bayou Challenge -- including a heartwarming tale of congeniality. AAJ Preview (0:03:35). AAJ's lottery system, whether this competition should st...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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1:34:23
Episode 81 - Shark Attack
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer returns home. Does he still qualify as a California resident? The Break (0:02:28). Results from the Shark Beach Showdown and the Online National Championship. Surprise Guest! Joe Lester.
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Season 6
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Episode 6
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1:28:38
Episode 80 - One Trial, Five Protests
Introduction (0:00:00). Mailbag questions. The Break (0:07:05). Results from the last weekend of NTC regionals, the final stats from Robert v. Phil, and the winner of Spencer and Justin's bet. Convene the Protest Committe...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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1:05:28
Episode 79 - Changes Coming to NTC (plus the final Pasquarello-Little contest)
Introduction (0:00:00): Spencer returns from his jaunt. The Break (0:05:34): Results from Chester Bedell and Weekend Two of the National Trial Competition, and updated case balance numbers. Changes Coming to NTC (0:12:00): ...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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1:22:43
Episode 78 - Is Justice Jackson Guilty?
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer makes an absurd itinerary. We discuss the first Berkeley-UCLA scrimmage. And Justin narrates as Spencer's lights keep going out while we record.The Break (0:09:28). Results from the Nation...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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1:20:46
Episode 77 - "Call me Defending Champion" (Little v. Pasquarello NTC Predictions Contest)
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer and Justin get ready for their teams to scrimmage. NTC Survey Results (0:02:44). What did coaches say about the case? The case changes? The enlargement rule? Do people like "live" witness -- or ...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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1:06:37
Episode 76 - The Dorkiest Closing (Tribute to Nancy Schultz & Interview with Rick Levin)
Season six is underway!Introduction (0:00:00). Justin shares some big news. Spencer attempts a bribe. Tribute to Nancy Schultz (0:09:24). Stetson's Liz Boals, Nova's Joe Lester, and Chapman's John Bishop talk ab...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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1:16:41