Competitive Advocacy Program
California Western’s Competitive Advocacy Program (CAP) provides students with the opportunity to develop real-world lawyering skills by working closely with practicing attorneys and experienced coaches.
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Testimonials
Emily Cunningham, '14
Senior Counsel at Womble Bond Dickinson
Competing on the appellate team for four semesters gave me the confidence to advocate with clarity and purpose — skills I’ve carried with me throughout my career.
Deniz Bayramoglu, '13
Managing Partner at Bay Law Injury Attorneys
I’ll never forget the adrenaline and camaraderie of traveling to competitions — especially the thrill of being with our team when we won. Those moments weren’t just exciting — they cemented my passion for advocacy and taught me how to think strategically under pressure.
Chris Lawson, '04
Team Leader in the Gang Prosecution Unit, District Attorney’s Office
My experience on Trial Team cemented my passion for the courtroom and prepared me for a career as a trial attorney. It gave me a solid foundation that only comes through practice, repetition, and real-time feedback — something no textbook alone can provide.
Competition Teams
Our three advocacy teams — trial, appellate, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) — compete in prestigious local and national competitions throughout the academic year. CWSL teams consistently advance, place, and win, building a strong reputation for excellence in advocacy.
If you're interested in resolving legal disputes through collaboration and strategy rather than courtroom litigation, the CWSL ADR Team offers an exciting opportunity to develop those skills while competing on a national stage.
For students who love legal research, writing, and sharp oral argument, CWSL’s Appellate Team offers a chance to build elite appellate advocacy skills while competing against top law schools across the nation — and around the world.
If you're passionate about litigation and thrive under pressure, the CWSL Trial Team offers the ultimate opportunity to develop your courtroom skills and compete on a national stage.
Campus Connections for Future Advocates
From intramural competitions and an advocacy-focused club to a hands-on advocacy elective open to all students, there are plenty of ways to get involved, sharpen your voice, and find your people right here on campus.
At California Western, every student can build essential advocacy skills — whether or not they join a traveling competition team. Each year, we host a series of on-campus competitions designed to simulate real legal experiences and help students grow as persuasive, confident advocates.
Moot Court Honors Board (MCHB) is one of the best ways to get involved, build your resume, and sharpen your advocacy from day one. MCHB is a student-led organization that hosts panels, workshops, and networking events throughout the year — connecting students with judges, attorneys, and leaders from across the San Diego legal community.
Trial Practice is a 3-unit upper-division elective designed for students who want to build confidence in oral advocacy and sharpen their public speaking skills in a legal setting. This course combines weekly lectures on trial fundamentals with small, skills-based sections led by practicing attorneys.
Competitive Advocacy Program Co-Directors
Katie Nagler is a seasoned trial attorney with over a decade of experience at
the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office, where she began as an intern while
attending California Western. She has been coaching with the Competitive Advocacy
Program (CAP) since 2014, leading teams to multiple championships — including back-to-back
first-place wins at the San Diego Defense Lawyers Competition, AAJ Regional Champions,
as well as a quarterfinal finish at AAJ Nationals.
In 2017, Katie joined the faculty as an adjunct professor, bringing her real-world
courtroom experience directly into the classroom and coaching room. A proud CAP alum
herself, she competed on Trial Team for four semesters and served on the Moot Court
Honors Board, where she was a member of the executive board. Her commitment to advocacy
and student success makes her an invaluable mentor for the next generation of litigators.
Clayton Carr is a Senior Deputy County Counsel in the Civil Rights and Torts
Division for the County of San Diego. Prior to that, he served as a Deputy District
Attorney in the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, where he gained extensive
courtroom experience trying 45 jury trials and 20 bench trials. During his time there,
he served in several key units, including the General Trial Unit, the Crimes Against
Police Officers (CAPO) Unit, and the Sex Crimes Unit.
A proud graduate of California Western, Clayton interned with the DA’s Office as a
student and earned a concentration in Criminal Prosecution & Defense Practice. He
has been a dedicated coach with the Competitive Advocacy Program (CAP) since 2014,
leading teams to major successes such National Finalist at the TYLA National Trial
Competition, 1st Place at the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL) So Cal
Regional, and National Finalist at the Tournament of Champions. In 2020, Clayton began
teaching California Evidence and Trial Practice, where he continues to share his courtroom
expertise and passion for advocacy with the next generation of trial lawyers.
Support the Program
Give NowYour financial contributions support our teams, travels, and training, and prepare our students to become confident, skilled advocates for justice.
Competitive Advocacy Program
For more information about our traveling teams, on-campus competitions, or the Competitive Advocacy Program, please email us at JavaScript Required.
San Diego, CA 92101