TYLA Project

Unique Volunteer and CLE Opportunity in Austin
By: Joel Towner

Every year since 1975, the Texas Young Lawyers Association has partnered with the American College of Trial Lawyers to host the National Trial Competition. With over 140 schools competing in 14 regional competitions, the National Trial Competition is the biggest and most prestigious law school mock trial competition in the country. The top 30 teams from law schools across the nation have been invited to the Texas State Capital Building for the national finals April 5th and 6th. These law students represent the best of the best.

One of the unique features of the National Trial Competition is that the witnesses in each trial are volunteers from the community, not students from the competitors’ schools. We need the help of over 70 young lawyers, paralegals, law students, and professionals from all walks of life to volunteer as witnesses.

As a bonus for all the young lawyers (who we know are busy), coming to witness qualifies you for three hours of self-study CLE, including one hour of ethics! The insight from fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers is an unmatched source of trial tips, tactics, and techniques.

Dates and times are listed and you can sign up at the link below. We look forward to seeing folks at the competition in Austin!

ROUND 1:  8 a.m. to noon, April 5

ROUND 2: Noon to 5 p.m., April 5

ROUND 3: 8 a.m. to noon, April 6,

Sign up here or send an email and we will sign you up!

Joel Towner is an associate at Beck Redden LLP, where his practice focuses on business litigation. He is a co-chair of the National Trial Competition on TYLA's Competition Committee. For questions related to how you can help out with the 2018 National Trial Competition, he can be reached at jtowner@beckredden.com.