معرفی
Todd A. Berger serves as Professor of Law and Director of Advocacy Programs at Syracuse University College of Law, where he also directs the joint J.D./LL.M. in Advocacy and Litigation. Since joining the faculty in 2012, he has elevated the law school's advocacy program to #8 in national rankings by U.S. News & World Report (2025), overseeing the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society competition teams' consistent top-15 national placements.
His educational qualifications include a B.A. magna cum laude from The George Washington University (2000), a J.D. from Temple University (2003), and an LL.M. in Trial Advocacy from Temple University (2007).
Berger's research critically examines criminal law and procedure through the lens of trial advocacy ethics, with particular focus on how sensitive topics like racist speech manifest in legal education. His work bridges theoretical scholarship with practical courtroom application, challenging conventional approaches to advocacy training through rigorous ethical analysis. This interdisciplinary approach manifests in both his award-winning publications and program innovations.
His publication record demonstrates concentrated expertise in advocacy ethics, exemplified by the Edward D. Ohlbaum Award-winning article addressing systemic issues in mock trial curricula. The work represents his broader scholarly commitment to aligning legal education with real-world ethical challenges in litigation.
Berger's accolades reflect sustained excellence in both teaching and program innovation:
- Meredith Teaching Recognition Award (2017)
- Five-time Res Ipsa Loquitur Award recipient (2015, 2020-2023)
- Edward D. Ohlbaum Paper in Advocacy (2021)
- Bloomberg Law Innovation Award for National Trial League (2022)
As program director, he has fundamentally reshaped advocacy education by creating six national competitions including the Syracuse National Trial Competition and National Trial League. His mentorship extends through the Criminal Defense Clinic (which he previously directed) and the ABA Law Student Podcast where he serves as faculty host, fostering student development across multiple platforms.
Berger's leadership manifests in the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society's national success and the innovative competition ecosystem he established, which now includes transatlantic negotiation exercises and military trial simulations. His creation of the National Trial League has particularly transformed how law schools approach advocacy training through its structured national circuit.
