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).
Episodes
127 episodes
Episode 127 - America's Next Top Trial Lawyer
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer keeps his job. Justin extols a new approach to scrimmaging.The Break (0:08:33). Results from four competitions -- and a wagering correction.America's Next Top Trial Lawyer (0:15...
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Season 9
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Episode 5
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1:10:09
Episode 126 - Job Interviews
Introduction (0:00:00). With Spencer abandoning his co-host, Justin interviews potential replacements.Suggested Plagiarism with Brett Schreiber (0:32:48). The lawyer who won a $243,000,000 verdict against Tesla reveals some...
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Season 9
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Episode 4
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1:18:02
Episode 125 - "He Cursed at a Child"
Introduction (0:00:00). Where is Spencer taking Justin for their 10th anniversary season?The Break (0:02:33). Results from the National Flash Trial Competition.Main Interview: Stephanie Sullivan (0:07:27). Sou...
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Season 9
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Episode 3
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1:14:29
Episode 124 - "I Blame My Wife"
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer prepares for his ten-year anniversary. Justin gets publicly insulted.The Break (0:07:45). Your first competition results from the new season.Main Interview: John Henry (0:08:57)...
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Season 9
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Episode 2
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1:26:30
Episode 123 - How Many Cats is Too Many?
Catching Up (0:00:00). Travel, verdicts, paying off wagers, two words that unreasonably bother Spencer, alumni events, Spanish accents, and one host trying to cause an IP lawsuit for the other.Summer Recap (0:15:13)....
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Season 9
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Episode 1
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1:29:59
Episode 122 - Summer Stories - Part 2
Introduction. (0:00:00). We're back (for a bit!) to interrupt your summer Mailbag. (0:1:21:21). Thanks to Robert L., other personally identifying information unavailable, for the excellent "question."Applying...
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Season 8
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Episode 16
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1:12:26
Episode 121 - Summer Stories - Part 1
Introduction (0:00:00). Where are we? What are we doing here? We answer existential questions, and podcast.Story Fundamentals. (0:05:28). We're joined by Gabe Rivin, former showrunner for the Wondery's American Scandal<...
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Season 8
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Episode 15
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1:19:06
Episode 120 - "Way to go, Winners!" (Scripty Awards, Silverback Gorillas, and more)
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer cuts down a tree, and Justin gets sentimental (for three reasons).The Break (0:11:38). The EATS awards! And one errata.All Star is Back! (0:12:44). St. Mary's A.J. Bellido ...
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Season 8
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Episode 14
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1:17:27
Episode 119 - "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"
Introduction (00:00). Apply for competitions and vote in the Scripties!The Break (06:11). Serious results from Amicus, ridiculous results from Amicus, and a ne...
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Season 8
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Episode 13
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56:30
Episode 118 - "Ask Your Law Mom"
Introduction (00:00). Spencer and Justin are recovering."Ask Your Law Mom" (02:30). Buffalo Law's Jen Scharf and Lisa Bauer have their own podcast! They do serious work -- offering advice about legal careers -- but we do ou...
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Season 8
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Episode 12
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58:52
Episode 117 - Chatting with the Champs
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer goes to Disney World ... and he tries to change the world.US News Rankings -- for real this time! (0:09:48). What schools made a big jump? The Break (0:13:28). Resul...
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Season 8
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Episode 11
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1:26:22
Episode 116 - "Otto is a Sentient Citrus" (Nationals Predictions with Judge Roberts and Brett Bayne)
Introduction (0:00:00). Discussion of the embargoed 2025-26 US News Rankings.The Break (0:02:34). Results from Ethics, South Texas, Chapman, and two military competitions.Nationals Predictions Contest (0:03:57...
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Season 8
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Episode 10
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1:13:14
Episode 115 - What Percentage of Real Lawyers Would Make Your Mock Trial Team?
Introduction (0:00:00). Justin apologizes, and atones, for a Cardinal sin.The Break (0:02:15). Results from Queens DA and Cap City. Plus, a new job opening!Vexatious Litigants (0:03:35). Colleague fight! Stets...
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Season 8
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Episode 9
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1:12:50
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 (0:1...
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Season 8
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Episode 8
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1:10:35
Episode 113 - "Dragging Hostages" - Star Trial Lawyer Chris Arledge on How He Cross-Examines
Introduction (0:00:00). Who's at fault for Microphone-Gate?"How I Teach" (0:04:07). Justin is organizing a new EATS presentation -- and he wants your advice. Who would you like to see teach? And on what topics? (
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Season 8
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Episode 7
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1:21:03
Episode 112 - STAC is Back (In Person)
Introduction (0:00:00). What do we expect for the first in-person STAC regionals this decade?The Break (0:07:02). Results from BLSA regionals. Winners of the Online National Championship. An insult from Jared...
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Season 8
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Episode 6
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1:31:11
Episode 111 - Predictions Have Consequences
Introduction (00:00). What makes this episode different from all other episodes? An evening recording, some adult beverages, and a plea
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Season 8
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Episode 5
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56:34
Episode 110 - The One Where Robert Little Sings
Introduction (0:00:00). Spencer skis.The Break (03:14). This week's winner: aesthetic improvements.Suggested Plagiarism: Joel Souza (05:59). The di...
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Season 8
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Episode 4
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1:00:38
Episode 109 - Liz v. Jules (and Hollywood Legal Legend Patty Glaser)
Introduction (0:00:00). Justin's mom gets yelled at by another team's coach during a Zoom trial, and Justin doesn't appreciate it.The Break (0:05:55). Results from 8 NTC regions, and updated case balance data from Woode...
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Season 8
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Episode 3
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1:33:04
Episode 108 - Is Saban Trucking Liable?
Introduction (00:00). An email masquerading as "congratulations."The Break (04:03). The winners of the first two NTC regions, results from Chester Bedell, and case balance data from Wooden v. Saban.Interv...
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Season 8
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Episode 2
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55:59
Episode 107 - NTC Predictions (Little v. Pasquarello: The Rubber Match)
We ring in the new semester with:Introduction (00:00). Hiding from relatives, a cross-country roadtrip, and some trials.The Break (11:10). Results from the National Trial League, fantasy football, and the AI S...
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Season 8
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Episode 1
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47:55
Episode 106 - Advocacy in a Flash!
We’re back with the Third Edition of the National Flash Trial Competition and its accompanying episode on the pod. This year Berkeley Law’s annual tournament expanded to ten teams, meaning we got to introduce two more schools to our tradi...
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Season 7
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Episode 15
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48:55
Episode 105 - The 2025 NTC Case (plus, the Scripty Awards!)
In Part Two of our Season Finale:The Champagne Mystery (0:00:00). Who's behind the anonymous alcohol?!The 2025 NTC Case (0:03:02). For the first time in the National Trial Competition's 50-year history, the NTC case wa...
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Season 7
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Episode 14
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1:06:16
Episode 104 - Gavel Rankings & US News Rankings (with Erwin Chemerinsky)
Part One of our Season Finale:Introduction (0:00:00). Happy Tofurkey Day.The Break (0:04:45). Results from the Daniel competition, and the most one-sided rivalry in sports.Erwin Chemerinsky (0:05:50). Berkel...
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Season 7
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Episode 13
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58:12