California Western School Of Law building background

Teams

Students who are accepted into the Competitive Advocacy Program and compete on teams often come away from the experience having reached skill levels that match or exceed those of attorneys who have been practicing for years.

Trial, Appellate, Alternative Dispute Resolution

female student cross examining in front of a jury

Trial Teams

Trial competition teams learn how to conduct an entire trial in front of a judge or jury. Students are taught how to give creative opening statements and deliver compelling closing arguments. They are taught how to guide witnesses through direct examination and how to effectively cross-examine difficult witnesses. Students also learn how to apply evidence law through objections.

Every year students compete in a number of competitions at the local, regional, and national levels. Some of the competitions include:

  • AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition
  • Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) Competition
  • The All-Star National Challenge Trial Competition
  • CACJ National Criminal Trial Advocacy Competition
  • San Diego ABTL Competition.
female student talking to jury

Appellate

Appellate competition teams learn how to research and write briefs. They are taught how to properly cite case law and statutes as well as how to format their written arguments. Students also learn how to defend their brief orally by advocating their position to a panel of judges and field questions from the bench.

Every year students compete in a number of regional, national, and even international competitions. Some of the competitions include:

  • Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
  • UC Davis Asylum & Refugee Law National Moot Court Competition
  • Pepperdine National Entertainment Law Competition Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition
  • National Online Moot Court Challenge
Trophy case of moot court honor board and competitive advocacy program

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

ADR teams compete in both negotiation and mediation competitions. Students learn valuable skills to successfully settle cases before they might go to litigation. They are taught how to prioritize their client’s goals while also understanding their opponents' goals. Students learn how to work with opposing counsel to find mutually beneficial solutions to solve the problems presented in competitions, but also display a control of the situation so that their client is happy with the outcome.

Every year students compete in a number of competitions at the local, regional, and national levels. Some of the competitions include:

  • ABA Negotiation Regional and National Competition.  
  • ABA Mediation Regional and National Competition. 
  • Thomas Jefferson National Sports Law Negotiation Competition
  • Southwestern Law School National Negotiation Tournament. 
  • Tulane International Futbol Negotiation Competition