We are pleased to announce that planning is already underway for the ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law’s Sixth Annual Competition. This year’s competition has been expanded to include a session in San Francisco in addition to Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Washington, DC. The competition schedule is as follows:

The Labor and Employment Law Section of the American Bar Association established the LEL 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.

Teams must consist of four students from the same school. Up to two teams from the same 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 5, 2009. Early entry is recommended. There is no fee to participate in the competition, however, teams must provide for their own transportation and lodging. Participation in the competitions is not limited to ABA members. Section membership is free for ABA Law Student members.

Participants will be able to access the case materials after August 31, 2009. Directions for obtaining the materials will be sent on August 31 or, after that date, upon receipt of the entry form.

Please email the Section office with any questions regarding the competition.

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.