Loyola Law School hosted the National Civil Trial Competition, sponsored by the law firms of Greene Broillet & Wheeler and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, and CourtCall. It was an invitational tournament open to all ABA accredited law schools who have demonstrated excellence in mock trial competitions and/or demonstrated excellence in the training of law students in litigation skills. The purpose of the tournament was to provide student litigants an opportunity to develop and display the skills of a successful civil litigator. Students were required to perform opening statements, direct- and cross-examination of expert and lay witnesses, and closing arguments — as well as argue objections based on the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Sixteen law schools competed. Each school could bring one team of four advocates/witnesses and each team was guaranteed to participate in at least three full trials. Trials were be judged by distinguished members of the Southern California Bar including partners and associates from numerous Los Angeles civil litigation firms.

Susan judged the final rounds.