Unscripted Direct

Spencer Pahlke and Justin Bernstein
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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).

  1. HACE 12 H

    Episode 142 - The Snowstorm and the $h!#-storm (Plus, Robert Little sings!)

    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.

    1 h y 11 min

  2. 19 FEB

    Episode 141 - Thirst Alert!

    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?

    1 h y 10 min

  3. 12 FEB

    Episode 140 - The Nightmare Scenario (and Main Interview with Jason Goss)

    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?

    1 h y 28 min

  4. 5 FEB

    Episode 139 - Are the Joneses Guilty?

    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?

    52 min

  5. 29 ENE

    Episode 138 - "I have a pretty good team this year”

    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's well known to the national sports community. NTC Predictions Contest (0:22:45). Robert Little and Phil Pasquarello are back with their picks for Weekend One. At stake? Just their children's names. Susan Poehls (0:58:38). We mourn the loss of a friend and celebrate the life of a legend.

    1 h y 7 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    Episode 137 - Naughty, Nice, and NTC

    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 misbehaving? And what can we do about it? Cumberland's Judge Roberts, Mercer's Katie Powers, and Drexel's Phil Pasquarello join for an in-depth conversation. Also, Katie promotes bourbon, Judge proposes new tournament names, Phil says "more people need to be like me," and Justin tries to recruit Katie's infant daughter. NTC Case Preview (0:44:56). The regionals case authors preview the 2026 regionals criminal case ... and share a pretty big hint. The Scripties (0:59:28). First, some absurd awards: Best Use of Email, Most Unnecessarily Confrontational, and the Scripty for Most Shameless Self-Promotion for a Scripty. Then, the big ones: Best Swag, Best Trophy, Favorite Competition, Top Team, and More. Mailbag (1:12:30). How do you handle it when students don't like the Spring team they're assigned? And what happens when Justin and Spencer receive their US News ballots while they're recording the episode?

    1 h y 19 min

  7. 04/12/2025

    Episode 136 - It's That Time of Year (US News Analysis and Fall Gavel Rankings)

    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 News (0:19:22). With voting opening soon, which school is most under-ranked in Trial Advocacy? Gavel Rankings (0:27:57). Hofstra's Jared Rosenblatt shares the trends from the Fall competitions and announces the top five. He also talks about slippers, explains how his team solved a 40-year-old cold case, and gratuitously insults multiple members of the community. Mailbag (0:45:48). How is this episode different from all others episodes?

    49 min

  8. 20/11/2025

    Episode 135 - Campaigning for Scripties

    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 some tough facts. Begging for Scripties (0:36:10). Jen Scharf, the director-turned-lobbyist, makes a compelling case for Buffalo-Niagara's swag. Tournament Spotlight: NCTC (0:51:40). Loyola's John Henry talks about peanut butter prison cookies, how often he hears "That's not how Professor Poehls did it," and this year's National Civil Trial Competition -- including his decision to replace their sexual harassment case. Mailbag Question (1:17:14). How do you handle "gender responsibility issues"?

    1 h y 23 min
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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).

Información

  • Creador
    Spencer Pahlke and Justin Bernstein
  • Años de actividad
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodios
    142
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unscripted Direct
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Unscripted Direct

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