On-Campus Competitions
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.
Intramural Advocacy: Practice, Compete, Grow
On-campus competitions provide invaluable experience in litigation, negotiation, and appellate practice — all on campus and under the guidance of faculty, alumni, and legal professionals. For many students, they are the first step toward becoming confident, practice-ready advocates.
Fall Competitions
In the fall, we host:
- The Gill Competition – A competitive closing argument tournament open to 2Ls and 3Ls, where students deliver persuasive final arguments in a mock trial setting.
- The CWSL Negotiation Competition – A dynamic event where teams of two face off in simulated negotiations, testing their communication, strategy, and client-centered advocacy. Open to all students.
Spring Competitions
In the spring, we offer:
- The Conte Cup – A signature opening statement competition exclusively for 1Ls, giving first-year students a chance to step into the courtroom and present their case with clarity and conviction.
- The Bobbie Thyfault Appellate Competition – A rigorous appellate advocacy challenge where students are given briefs and applicable law, and must craft and deliver their own oral arguments before a panel of judges while fielding live questions from the bench.
On-Campus Competitions
For more information about our on-campus competitions or the Competitive Advocacy Program, please email us at JavaScript Required.
San Diego, CA 92101