10th Annual Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (ETAC) This Weekend
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Estrella, LLC and George Washington University Law School are honored to host the 14 law schools who will compete in their 10th Annual Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (ETAC). The event will be held this weekend on April 13 & 14, 2024, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“We are proud to be hosting our 10th Annual competition. What began as a vision 10 years ago has now become one of the top trial advocacy competitions in the country. This year, we are excited to welcome 14 teams from top law schools across the U.S. representing every tier of the US News Rankings and four schools from Fordham’s Top 20 Trial Competition Rankings. We look forward to this year’s competition,” said Alberto G. Estrella, Managing Member of Estrella, LLC.
“It is an honor to partner with Estrella, LLC. The time and energy they put into recruiting the finest available litigators and sitting judges to preside over the rounds and the access they have to secure the best courtrooms in San Juan is extraordinary. Couple that with their commitment to having teams come to San Juan from all over the country for an experience that is both educational and fun, and you have something truly exceptional.” said David Johnson, Assistant Dean for Advocacy Programs at The George Washington University Law School
This event allows students to put their law school training and knowledge to the test by preparing and presenting a civil case before a panel of seasoned trial attorneys and judges. Each team will argue their case, delivering opening and closing arguments, arguing pretrial motions, presenting evidence, and conducting direct and cross-examinations. At the end of each session, the panel provides feedback to the students to further their professional careers’ development.
The 14 prestigious law schools participating in ETAC this year are:
- American University Washington College of Law
- Brooklyn Law School
- Cardozo Law School
- Florida International University
- George Washington University Law School
- Howard University School of Law
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law
- Louisiana State University Law Center
- Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- University of Colorado Law School
- University of Illinois College of Law (Urbana-Champaign)
- UPenn Carey Law School
- University of Virginia School of Law
- William and Mary Law School
In recognition of the 10th Anniversary of ETAC as well as the 50th Anniversary of Estrella LLC, Dayna Bowen Matthew, Dean of The George Washington University Law School, will be joining us to judge one of the Advancement Rounds on Sunday. Additionally, we are pleased that the Hon. Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach, Chief Judge of US District Court, District of Puerto Rico, will preside over the Final Round.
We also welcome the Trial Lawyers of Puerto Rico (TLPR) as an event sponsor for this year’s competition. The TLPR is a dynamic collective of legal professionals driven by a shared dedication to uniting the preeminent minds in Mass Tort and Personal Injury law. TLPR’s mission is to forge robust partnerships among its members and craft educational avenues that yield exponential value for its members and their clientele, as well as the Puerto Rico community.
ETAC will begin on April 13th with the preliminary rounds, and the final rounds will take place on April 14th. Teams have also received a special invitation from the Hon. Pedro Pierluisi, Governor of Puerto Rico (GW Law ’84) to La Fortaleza, a fortification and residence of the Governor dating from 16th-century, for the announcement of the Winning Team and the William Estrella Best Oral Advocate Award following the Final Round.
Press is invited to the Competition. For security protocols of the federal court rooms, we will need to have the press’ credentials and information beforehand to add to the security registration list.
About Estrella, LLC
Estrella, LLC is one of the oldest and most respected full-service law firms in Puerto Rico. Our first-rate attorneys represent a diverse group of entrepreneurs, middle-market and blue-chip clients and deliver comprehensive legal strategies in a breadth of practice areas anchored by our corporate, employment, and litigation practices. As a trusted advisor, we value ongoing relationships with our clients, including many of Puerto Rico’s highest-profile companies, some of whom have relied on the firm’s legal assistance for more than 50 years. The firm is also a member of Meritas, a global alliance of leading independent law firms across the U.S. and worldwide, allowing us to assist our clients wherever they do business.
About GW Law
Since enrolling its first class in 1865, the George Washington University Law School has produced some of the finest minds across the spectrum of legal scholarship. That tradition continues today, as GW Law graduates use the knowledge and skills they gain here to influence the critical legal conversations of our times. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools. The law school is located on the GW campus in the downtown neighborhood familiarly known as Foggy Bottom. The main GW Law complex is located at 2000 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052.
For press inquiries or more information, contact: dawn@estrellallc.com
