We are pleased to announce that the Fifth Annual Competition has been expanded to include regional competitions in Boston and Seattle in addition to Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Washington, DC. The team that finishes in first place in each region will advance to the National Final which will take place January 24-25, 2009.

The Labor and Employment Law Section of the American Bar Association established the Trial Advocacy Competition to introduce law students to the challenges and rewards of employment and labor litigation.

Law students who participate in the Competition have the opportunity to develop their trial advocacy skills in a mock courtroom experience.

The Competition offers participating students a forum in which they may develop the skills they will be using as practitioners, and a chance to meet and network with fellow law students and labor and employment law practitioners ans judges.

The Competitions are made possible by the outstanding commitment of volunteers from the ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law who serve as coaches, judges and evaluators.

Teams must consist of four students from the same school. Up to two from the same law school will be permitted. Each trial will last about three hours and will be followed by comments from the evaluators.

Each team desiring to participate must submit its completed Entry Form and documentation no later than October 6, 2008. Early registration is recommended. Entry forms and information regarding registration and competition details will be available by May 9, 2008 on the Section website at www.abanet.org/labor.

Participants will be able to access the case materials after August 15, 2008. Directions for obtaining the materials will be sent on August 15 or, after that date, upon receipt of the entry form.

There is no fee to participate in the Competition.

Why Participate:

• Learn challenges and rewards of employment and labor litigation
• Develop skills that you’ll need as a practitioner
• Meet and network with experienced practitioners who will share their practical advice

Please contact the Section office at 312-988-5821 with any questions regarding the competition.

To volunteer as a judge, please email Chris Meacham at MeachamC@staff.abanet.org and indicate the region in which you would like to judge.