The Walkup Firm is proud to support the highly anticipated Flash Trial Competition from September 7 to September 10, 2023. The Berkeley School of Law’s National Flash Trial Competition (NFTC) will gather eight of the nation’s leading law school trial advocacy programs, each sending two student competitors and a coach to compete in this adrenaline-packed event.
The participating schools include prestigious institutions such as Baylor Law School, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, The Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Loyola Law School Los Angeles, The University of South Carolina School of Law, The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, and the reigning champion, UCLA School of Law.
During the Flash Trial Competition, students will face concise fact patterns covering various civil and criminal topics. The time constraints add an extra layer of challenge and excitement, pushing participants to think quickly and adapt on their feet. Each round will have a minimum of three live judges, ensuring a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process.
The competition will be held at the esteemed JAMS Alternative Dispute Resolution Center in San Francisco, which is also a co-sponsor. Additional sponsorship support comes from San Francisco-based plaintiff’s firm Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, the law firms of Venable LLP, Munger Tolles & Olson, and King & Spaulding.
Flash trials aim to provide law students with a unique learning experience beyond rehearsed perfection. Traditionally, legal competitions can foster undue pressure on students to deliver flawless performances, prioritizing rehearsed gestures and speeches over genuine skill building.
Flash trials break down this barrier by challenging students to think on their feet and trust their instincts, with only 45 minutes of preparation time. These intense and exhilarating sessions allow students to discover their true potential and identify the most valuable skills in a fast-paced legal environment.
“We believe that flash trials are an invaluable part of our trial advocacy competition course,” said Spencer Pahlke, a lead organizer from Berkeley School of Law and shareholder at the Walkup Firm. “Our students initially fear the drill, but once they experience the rush and realize what they can achieve with minimal preparation, they embrace the challenge and grow professionally and personally,” added Pahlke.
The Berkeley School of Law and the co-sponsors of this event are excited to welcome the best legal minds from across the nation for this electrifying competition. We invite all legal enthusiasts, students, and supporters to witness these future legal stars in action and witness the legal profession’s future unfold.
