National Moot Court Competition
Encyclopedia
The National Moot Court Competition is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious moot court
competition in the United States
. Co-sponsored by the New York City Bar Association and the American College of Trial Lawyers
, the competition includes 179 teams from124 law schools, who compete in regional competitions in November with the top two in each region advancing to the national competition held in the landmark House of the New York City Bar Association
at the end of January.
, then president of the New York City Bar Association, as part of a campaign to recruit younger members to the City Bar in the years following World War II
.
The first competition was held at the City Bar’s building in January 1950. Twelve law school teams debated the legality of “rainmaking,” or the use by farmers of rainmaking devices to divert water from adjacent land. The program was formatted as a mock appeal, in order to develop the skills of appellate advocacy among law students.
In the years since, the moot court competition has expanded to include competitions in 15 regions throughout the continental United States. The cases argued traditionally focus on a timely issue arising under the United States Constitution
, in keeping with the competition’s original theme of appellate advocacy. The final national competition continues to be held in New York, and the final argument between the top two teams is judged by a seven-person mock court, including prominent jurists, the president of the New York City Bar Association and the president of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
The National Moot Court Competition begins on the regional level. The United States is divided into fourteen regions, each of which hosts its own regional competition for teams whose law schools fall within their jurisdiction. In March, the New York City Bar Association invites all ABA
-accredited law schools to field moot court teams of two to three students to participate in regional competitions.
The regional winners and runners-up compete in a four-day national competition, as the 28-team field narrows to sixteen, eight, four, two, and ultimately one champion over the course of the competition.
The best overall team is presented with the Russell J. Coffin Award, which includes a trophy and a cash reward. The team presenting the best oral arguments is awarded the John W. Davis
award, which includes an engraved silver cup. Best individual speaker and runner-up for best individual speaker are both awarded crystal obelisks by the American College of Trial Lawyers.
, Potter Stewart
, Byron White
, William Rehnquist
, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Anthony Kennedy
have all judged past final rounds. Other notable judges have included Hon. Barrington D. Parker
, Hon. Judith S. Kaye, and Hon. Amalya Kearse.
Moot court
A moot court is an extracurricular activity at many law schools in which participants take part in simulated court proceedings, usually to include drafting briefs and participating in oral argument. The term derives from Anglo Saxon times, when a moot was a gathering of prominent men in a...
competition in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Co-sponsored by the New York City Bar Association and the American College of Trial Lawyers
American College of Trial Lawyers
The American College of Trial Lawyers is a professional association of trial lawyers from the United States and Canada. Founded in 1950, the College is dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the profession...
, the competition includes 179 teams from124 law schools, who compete in regional competitions in November with the top two in each region advancing to the national competition held in the landmark House of the New York City Bar Association
House of the New York City Bar Association
The House of the New York City Bar Association, located at 42 West 44th Street in Manhattan, New York, is a New York City Landmark building that has housed the New York City Bar Association since its construction in 1896.-History:...
at the end of January.
History
The National Moot Court Competition was created in 1947 by Harrison TweedHarrison Tweed
Harrison Tweed, , was a New York City lawyer and civic leader.-Life and career:Tweed was born in New York City on October 18, 1885. He was the son of Charles Harrison Tweed, the general counsel for the Central Pacific Railroad, Chesapeake and Ohio and other affiliated railroad corporations, and...
, then president of the New York City Bar Association, as part of a campaign to recruit younger members to the City Bar in the years following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The first competition was held at the City Bar’s building in January 1950. Twelve law school teams debated the legality of “rainmaking,” or the use by farmers of rainmaking devices to divert water from adjacent land. The program was formatted as a mock appeal, in order to develop the skills of appellate advocacy among law students.
In the years since, the moot court competition has expanded to include competitions in 15 regions throughout the continental United States. The cases argued traditionally focus on a timely issue arising under the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
, in keeping with the competition’s original theme of appellate advocacy. The final national competition continues to be held in New York, and the final argument between the top two teams is judged by a seven-person mock court, including prominent jurists, the president of the New York City Bar Association and the president of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Organization
In both the regional and national competitions, all teams are required to argue the same single case on appeal. The case consists of two issues drawn from current legal issues that generally are likely to be considered by the Supreme Court. The cases are devised and prepared each year by the Young Lawyers Committee of the New York City Bar Association.The National Moot Court Competition begins on the regional level. The United States is divided into fourteen regions, each of which hosts its own regional competition for teams whose law schools fall within their jurisdiction. In March, the New York City Bar Association invites all ABA
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
-accredited law schools to field moot court teams of two to three students to participate in regional competitions.
The regional winners and runners-up compete in a four-day national competition, as the 28-team field narrows to sixteen, eight, four, two, and ultimately one champion over the course of the competition.
The best overall team is presented with the Russell J. Coffin Award, which includes a trophy and a cash reward. The team presenting the best oral arguments is awarded the John W. Davis
John W. Davis
John William Davis was an American politician, diplomat and lawyer. He served as a United States Representative from West Virginia , then as Solicitor General of the United States and US Ambassador to the UK under President Woodrow Wilson...
award, which includes an engraved silver cup. Best individual speaker and runner-up for best individual speaker are both awarded crystal obelisks by the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Rules
Every participating team is required to submit a brief in advance of the regional and (if they qualify to attend) national competitions. At each competition, teams are required to argue both sides of their appeal. Competitors are judged 40% on written briefs, and 60% on oral presentation. The Competition is administered by, and governed by Rules drafted by, the New York City Bar’s Young Lawyers Committee.Notable Past Participants
The National Moot Court Competition has attracted a prestigious roster of past judges and competitors. United States Supreme Court Justices Thurgood MarshallThurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from October 1967 until October 1991...
, Potter Stewart
Potter Stewart
Potter Stewart was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. During his tenure, he made, among other areas, major contributions to criminal justice reform, civil rights, access to the courts, and Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.-Education:Stewart was born in Jackson, Michigan,...
, Byron White
Byron White
Byron Raymond "Whizzer" White won fame both as a football halfback and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed to the court by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, he served until his retirement in 1993...
, William Rehnquist
William Rehnquist
William Hubbs Rehnquist was an American lawyer, jurist, and political figure who served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States and later as the 16th Chief Justice of the United States...
, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Ginsburg was appointed by President Bill Clinton and took the oath of office on August 10, 1993. She is the second female justice and the first Jewish female justice.She is generally viewed as belonging to...
, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Anthony Kennedy
Anthony Kennedy
Anthony McLeod Kennedy is an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, having been appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Since the retirement of Sandra Day O'Connor, Kennedy has often been the swing vote on many of the Court's politically charged 5–4 decisions...
have all judged past final rounds. Other notable judges have included Hon. Barrington D. Parker
Barrington D. Parker
Barrington Daniels Parker, Sr. was a United States federal judge in the District of Columbia.Parker was born in Rosslyn, Virginia; his father was dean of the now-closed Terrell Law School in Washington, D.C. He attended Dunbar High School in Washington, and graduated from Lincoln University in...
, Hon. Judith S. Kaye, and Hon. Amalya Kearse.
Sources and External Resources
- “Fifty Years of Moot Court.” 44th Street Notes. February, 2001. Published by the New York City Bar Association.
- National Moot Court Competition, New York City Bar Association.
- American College of Trial Lawyers.