Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (ETAC)
Competition Date: April 5-6, 2025
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico (In Person)
Please click here to register
La Fortaleza, fortification and residence of the Governor dating from 16th-century, site of the 2024 concluding reception
The law firm of Estrella, LLC and the George Washington University Law School are pleased to invite you to apply to compete in the tenth annual Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (ETAC) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Estrella, LLC is a full-service law firm with expertise in civil litigation. As such, the competition uses a civil case. A sampling of past problems include: whether a store was negligent after an alleged mugging occurred in their parking lot, possible negligence of a company after alleged sexual harassment on a business trip, and whether a retailer is liable to an independent contractor for injuries caused by a competitor in an event organized by the retailer. Some years, the choice of calling two of three potential witnesses is provided to each team.
Each year, ETAC has reached capacity. The winning team is guaranteed a spot in the following year’s competition provided they timely register.
American University Washington College of Law was the champion of the 2024 Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition
Key Dates:
December 1, 2024: Registration Deadline (teams have until the problem release to finalize members)
December 2-20, 2024: Notification of Acceptance into competition and registration fee due
January 2025: Team members finalized and problem released
April 5, 2025: Two preliminary rounds (teams argue once for each side) held traditionally at the Clemente Ruiz Nazario Courthouse in San Juan’s Hato Rey sector; advancement announcement reception held that evening
April 6, 2025: Semi-final and final rounds held traditionally at the historic José V. Toledo Federal Courthouse in Old San Juan
Participation:
The competition is limited to a maximum of 14 teams. Each ABA-approved law school may register one team consisting of four JD students. (Requests may be made to enter two teams and will be considered on a space-available basis.) Each student must play the role of an attorney on one side and a witness on the other. Participating schools will be given access to a discounted block of hotel rooms at a beautiful, seafront hotel.
Costs:
The registration fee is $800 for one team of four students and up to two coaches. Payment can be made by credit card. The fee is nonrefundable once paid to encourage participation.
Awards:
Recognition is given to the winning team and to the recipient of the William Estrella Award for Best Oral Advocate.
