What began as a vision over a decade ago has now become one of the top trial advocacy competitions in the country. Every April, Estrella LLC and George Washington University Law School host 14 law schools from across the United States to compete in the Annual Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (ETAC). These top law schools represent every tier of the US News Rankings and include members of the Fordham’s Top 20 Trial Competition Rankings
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.
We are also honored to welcome the Trial Lawyers of Puerto Rico as a valued sponsor of the competition.
2025 Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition
The 2025 Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition will take place on April 5-6 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 14 prestigious law schools who will be competing are:
- American University Washington College of Law
- Benjamin Cardozo Law School
- Brooklyn Law School
- George Washington University Law School
- Harvard Law School
- Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law
- Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
- University of Colorado Law School
- University of Illinois College of Law
- University of Mississippi School of Law
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- University of Puerto Rico School of Law
- William & Mary Law School
Apply to Compete in 2026
The law firm of Estrella LLC and the George Washington University Law School are pleased to invite you to apply to compete in the 12th 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.
Key Dates:
December 1, 2025: Registration Deadline (teams have until the problem release to finalize members)
December 2-19, 2025: Notification of Acceptance into competition and registration fee due
January 2026: Team members finalized and problem released
April, 2026: 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, 2026: 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.