
Unscripted Direct
Conversations with the law school trial advocacy community. Hosted by Spencer Pahlke (shareholder at Walkup Melodia and trial advocacy director at UC Berkeley School of Law) and Justin Bernstein (director of trial advocacy at UCLA School of Law).
Unscripted Direct
Episode 114 - "How to Ask a Question" (Interview with Shanin Specter)
Introduction (0:00:00). Justin gets practical: when do you start planning for next year? Spencer gets philosophical: how do you find the right balance between teaching and other professional obligations?
The Break (0:10:41). Results from Trials and Tribulations, and BLSA Nationals!
Vexatious Litigants (0:11:26 ). In between vicious insults, Fordham's Adam Shlahet and Hofstra's Jared Rosenblatt debate whether schools should let students compete twice in the same semester.
Suggested Plagiarism (0:36:17). Spencer interviews famed trial lawyer Shanin Specter, who teaches a class called How to Ask a Question. We learn some valuable lessons, including: "No one thinks you're as nice as you think you are." "Don't lead the barista." "Don't take &%$% from anyone, including the judge." And Justin's favorite: "Spencer, you're gonna have to take my class now."
Mailbag (1:04:22). Three letters this week! Should judge orientations include instruction on proper trial techniques? Can advocates circumvent the "I wasn't asked that rule" with an objection? And do STAC and NTC have more protests than invitationals?