New Leadership for California Western’s Competitive Advocacy Program
SAN DIEGO (February 26, 2025) - California Western School of Law (CWSL) is proud to introduce the new Co-Directors of the Competitive Advocacy Program (CAP): Katie Nagler ’14 and J. Clayton Carr ‘13. Following a comprehensive search, Nagler and Carr—both accomplished CWSL alumni and dedicated CAP coaches—were selected to lead the program.
As passionate advocates, skilled educators, and experienced trial attorneys, Nagler and Carr bring a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to fostering the next generation of legal professionals. Their appointment ensures that CAP will continue to uphold its tradition of excellence, built over the past five years under the outstanding leadership of Professor Paul Parisi ‘06.
Katie Nagler has been a trial attorney in the County of San Diego Public Defender’s Office for over a decade, having interned there while at CWSL. She has been a CAP Trial Team coach since 2014, during which time her teams won first place in the San Diego Defense Lawyers Competition and the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Regional Competition, and reached the quarterfinals in the AAJ’s National Competition. In 2017, Katie was elevated to the position of adjunct professor. As an experienced trial attorney, she is able to provide indelible insight on the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the courtroom. Katie herself was an exemplary member of CAP, having participated on trial team for four semesters, and having served on the Moot Court Honors Board as an executive board member.
J. Clayton Carr is currently Senior Deputy County Counsel in the Civil Rights/Torts Division of the Office of County Counsel. He previously served as a Deputy District Attorney in the San Diego County DA’s Office, having interned there while a student at CWSL, and rising through the ranks to Deputy DA IV in the East County Sex Crimes & Human Trafficking Division. Through the course of his career with the DA, he served as attorney on 45 jury trials and 20 bench trials. Clayton has been a Trial Team coach in CAP since 2014, during which time his teams finished second place in the Nationals of Texas Young Lawyer’s Association, first place in the Southern California Regional Championship of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, first place three separate years in the Tournament of Champions, and second place in the San Diego Defense Lawyers competition. He was elevated to adjunct professor in 2020. Clayton was a distinguished member of CAP and graduated from CWSL with a concentration in Criminal Prosecution & Defense Practice.
As CAP makes a transition in leadership, CWSL extends tremendous gratitude to Professor Paul Parisi, who played a transformative role as Director of the Competitive Advocacy Program in his five and a half years at the helm. Under his leadership, CAP flourished, building a comprehensive training program including intraschool competitions and skills bootcamps, expanding the network of volunteer attorneys and judges who mentor CAP students, and entering more—and more prestigious—competitions throughout Southern California and around the country. With Professor Parisi’s guidance, this year CWSL created a retrofitted study and practice space for CAP in the main academic building, so that students can continue to raise the bar of advocacy excellence.
Professor Hannah Brenner Johnson, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, reflected on Paul’s profound impact, stating:
"I had the unique vantage point to watch him create a new vision for the program, building on the legacy left by Mario Conte. Our students thrived under his leadership, not just achieving national awards and recognition (though there was no shortage of these) but more importantly, acquiring critical advocacy and leadership skills that will serve them throughout their legal careers."
Before his appointment as Director, Professor Parisi was a trial team coach and adjunct professor in CAP for over a decade, playing a crucial role in helping Mario Conte, the founder and former director of CAP, lay the groundwork for a program that trains students for excellence in the moot courtroom and throughout their careers. Parisi served as a trial attorney in the San Diego County Public Defender's Office, completing over 40 trials in less than six years. California Western is deeply grateful for Paul’s contributions, and we look forward to CAP’s next chapter under the leadership of the new Co-Directors.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA WESTERN SCHOOL OF LAW
For 100 years, California Western School of Law (CWSL) has trained practice-ready lawyers and thoughtful advocates for justice. As the first and longest-running law school in San Diego, CWSL remains committed to providing students with the fundamental knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to thrive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. CWSL enrolls a student body representative of our diverse society, amplifying access to opportunities for social and economic mobility. Tailored programming allows students to focus on specific areas of interest, and distinguished faculty are dedicated to student growth and scholarship on critical social issues. The law school emphasizes practical, hands-on training through clinics, internships, externships, and pro bono service. CWSL is committed to excellence in education, nurturing compassionate legal professionals who use the law effectively and creatively to solve complex human and societal problems. For more information, visit www.CWSL.edu.