The podcast was supposed to be on vacation ... but we interrupt this summer break for an important update! On May 1 (Episode 89), we covered the witness incident at NTC Nationals. On May 15, TYLA circulated a statement about the incident. We had some follow-up questions. So, we interviewed TYLA and ACTL leadership about the incident -- and a broader range of National Trial Competition topics. We also learned about two significant changes to NTC 2025.
Intro (0:00:00). Spencer and Justin chat about their recent law firm training in Seattle, and how they prepared differently when teaching experienced and sophisticated litigators.
The Break (0:08:43). Results from Baylor's Top Gun.
Top Gun Conversation with Katie Powers (0:10:08). After the UCLA-Mercer final round, Justin and Katie chat about the weekend: how they prepared before they got to Waco, how they handled the hardest 24 hours in mock trial, and what they thought of the final round.
Witness Behavior (0:37:07) We asked coaches for questions they'd like us to ask TYLA NTC Co-Chair Dave Hagan about the witness incident. Why was the witness allowed to attend the social events with students after making the offensive comments? Will that witness be invited back next year? Would TYLA handle it differently if it had the chance? Do you think the history of TYLA witness behavior created a culture that led to this? Why didn't TYLA's statement denounce the behavior? And how is TYLA going to change its witness training to prevent this from recurring?
National Trial Competition (0:48:41). Dave stays on and ACTL NTC Chair Richard Zielinski joins, as we continued to pose questions asked by coaches. Why do you think people are angry? How do TYLA and ACTL divide duties? How much money does ACTL contribute to NTC? Why have cases been so imbalanced? After this year's cases were more balanced with coach input, will you include coaches (who aren't coaching NTC) not just in the vetting process, but the drafting process? Will TYLA consider providing the witnesses, as it did until recently, to reduce teams' expenses? Dave and Richard answers these questions -- and more -- and announce some major changes to NTC casewriting and witnessing.
The After Party (1:31:03). After the interview, Spencer and Justin discuss -- and debate -- what they heard and what comes next.