On behalf of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), NJAJ is calling on our membership to step up and volunteer as a judge for AAJ’s 2026 Student Trial Advocacy Competition (STAC) regional tournaments.

The 2026 regional tournaments will take place from Thursday to Sunday, March 5–8, with a call for volunteers in New York and Philadelphia, as well as virtually through the Virtual Eastern Region. 

AAJ’s annual STAC is a premier national tournament that gives law students the chance to develop and showcase their trial skills before experienced practitioners. NJAJ members’ participation in the regional competitions is a meaningful way to help shape tomorrow’s local trial lawyer community and advance NJAJ's mission.

Any attorney can volunteer— volunteers do not have to be an AAJ member and no prior judging experience is required.

2026 Regional Tournament Opportunities for NJAJ Members

Judges are needed for the following locations, dates and times:

• Friday, March 6, 2026 — 5:30–9:30 PM
• Saturday, March 7 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Saturday, March 7 — 2:30–6:30 PM
• Sunday, March 8 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Sunday, March 8 — 2:30–6:30 PM

Sign up here.

Philadelphia 

 Philadelphia City Hall 

• Friday, March 6, 2026 — 5:30–9:30 PM
• Saturday, March 7 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Saturday, March 7 — 2:30–6:30 PM

Sign up here.

Philadelphia 

Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law

• Sunday, March 8 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Sunday, March 8 — 2:30–6:30 PM

Sign up here.

The top two teams from each region will advance to the National Finals, held March 26–29, 2026, in New Orleans, LA.

NJAJ membership participation will help ensure that future trial lawyers receive the mentorship and evaluation they need to grow into strong, ethical, and effective advocates. Full details about the 2026 competition are available here.