National Ethics Trial Competition
Pacific McGeorge's National Ethics Trial Competition was established in 2006 to promote ethical and civility awareness through the mock trial competition format. As far as we know, it is the only law school-sponsored competition that features both an ethical component in the issues to be tried and scoring based on the participants' observation of ethical and civility principles.
The National Ethics Trial Competition 2013 is open for application to all ABA-accredited law schools that have demonstrated excellence in the training of law students in ethical trial practice. Sixteen schools are invited to participate.
The Seventh National Ethics Trial Competition will be held March 14 to 16, 2013.
The purpose of the annual competition is to provide an opportunity for student trial lawyers to develop and display their knowledge and skills of professional responsibility in trial work.
Participating in the Competition
The applicaiton period for the 2013 competition is now closed.
We are accepting RSVPs for judges willing to participate in the competition.
During the Competition
- Students are required to conduct trials testing not only their persuasive advocacy skills but also their professional conduct and knowledge of professional responsibility as it applies to substantive issues in the trial.
- The competition problem focuses in part on issues of professional responsibility.
- Students perform opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments, as well as argue objections based on the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Trials are judged by distinguished members of the bench and bar, including judges of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California and members of the Anthony M. Kennedy and Milton Schwartz Inns of Court. All competition rounds are held at the Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse in Sacramento.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Founding and Continuing Sponsor: Robert A. Buccola, '83, Dreyer Babich Buccola Wood Campora, LLP
Co-Sponsors:
- Law Office of Noël Ferris, '79
- R. Parker White, '80, Poswall, White & Cutler
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Porter | Scott Attorneys
Co-Sponsors:
- ABA Section of Litigation
- Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court
Hosted by
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
Questions?
Professor Thomas J. Leach
National Ethics Trial Competition
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
3200 Fifth Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95817
Email | Phone: 916.739.7316 | Fax: 916.739.7363
