12th Annual Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (ETAC) Welcomes Top Law Schools from Across the US and Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Estrella, LLC, in partnership with The George Washington University Law School, is proud to welcome 14 law schools to compete in the 12th Annual Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (ETAC). The competition will take place April 11-12, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“As we mark the 12th year of ETAC, it’s remarkable to see how the competition has grown into a nationally recognized platform for advocacy excellence,” said Alberto Estrella, Managing Partner of Estrella, LLC. “This year’s field reflects the depth and diversity of legal talent across the country, and we are proud to host such an accomplished group of future litigators in Puerto Rico.”
“We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Estrella, LLC on a competition that consistently delivers both rigor and a first-class experience,” said David Johnson, Assistant Dean for Advocacy Programs at The George Washington University Law School. “From the quality of the judges to the unique setting, ETAC offers students an opportunity to sharpen their skills in an environment that is both challenging and memorable.”
The 14 prestigious law schools participating in ETAC this year are:
- Brooklyn Law School
- Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
- Emory University School of Law
- The George Washington University Law School
- Georgetown University Law Center
- Harvard Law School
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law
- Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- Southern University Law Center
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico – Facultad de Derecho
- The University of Colorado Law School
- University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
- UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
This competition allows students to translate classroom learning into real-world advocacy by preparing and arguing a civil case before experienced litigators and members of the judiciary. Teams present their cases through opening and closing statements, motion practice, evidentiary presentations, and witness examinations. At the conclusion of each round, judges provide constructive critiques to help participants sharpen their skills and continue developing as future trial lawyers.
We are honored to once again have 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 11th with the preliminary rounds, and the final rounds will take place on April 12th. The Winning Team and the Kenneth Suria Best Oral Advocate Award will be announced following the Final Round on Sunday.
Press is invited to the Competition. For security protocols of the federal court rooms, we will need to have 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