March 16-18, 2006 The National Ethics Trial Competition is open to all ABA-accredited law schools that have demonstrated excellence in the training of law students in ethical trial practice. The purpose of this competition is to provide the opportunity for student trial lawyers to develop and display their knowledge and skills of professional responsibility in trial work. Students will be 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 will focus in part on issues of professional responsibility. Students will perform opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments, as well as argue objections based on the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Fourteen law schools will be invited to compete. Each school may bring one team of four advocates/witnesses and each team will be guaranteed to participate in at least two full trials. Trials will be 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 will be held at the Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse in Sacramento. Co-sponsored by University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Dreyer, Babich, Buccola & Callaham, LLP, and the ABA Section of Litigation. Hosted by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. [ Click here to read article on the results of the competition ] Click here to download the application. (.pdf) Ethics Competition 2006 Cover & information Letter (.pdf) Ethics Competition 2006 Trial Competition File (.pdf) 2006 Participants (.pdf) 2006 Judges RSVP form. SUBMIT APPLICATION / INQUIRIES TO: PROF. THOMAS J. LEACH UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC, McGEORGE SCHOOL OF LAW 3200 FIFTH AVENUE, SACRAMENTO CA 95817 TEL 916.739.7002 FAX 916.739.7331 jleach@pacific.edu Co-sponsored by University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Dreyer, Babich, Buccola & Callaham, LLP, and the ABA Section of Litigation |