Columbus School of Law

Moot Court

One of the largest participatory student groups, the Moot Court Association is composed of students who share strong interests in oral and written advocacy training. The Moot Court Board conducts a three-year training program open to all students, using mock cases to provide instruction in the art of appellate advocacy.

The appellate program is the largest in the Washington metropolitan area. It includes several intra-school programs available to all upper-class members and provides top competitors opportunities to participate in national and international interschool competitions.

Catholic hosts two of these National competitions: the National Telecommunications Competition and the Sutherland Cup. The Sutherland is believed to be the nation's oldest national appellate advocacy competition and attracts competitors from across the nation.

Other interschool competitions that CUA participates in include: Jessup Cup (International Law); Kaufman Competition (Securities Law); National Security; AIPLA Giles Sutherland Rich (Intellectual Property); and other competitions decided by students annually.

How to become a member

CUA Law Students must first compete in the Soapbox and the LSP Appellate Advocacy programs during their first year of law school. After their first year, students must compete and rank in the top percentage of competitors in an intra-school competition. Approximately 50-75 students each academic year will be offered an invitation to become a Moot Court Associate in December of each academic year.

For students who have not competed in Soapbox or the LSP Appellate Advocacy program, including new transfer students to CUA, please click here for instructions on how to request a waiver of the requirement.

First-Year Students

Soapbox

Soapbox is an introductory appellate advocacy program for first year students. Participants are assigned to represent a party in a dispute focusing on either constitutional, contract or tort law. Using case law provided in the problem, participants formulate a ten-minute oral argument. Participants deliver their arguments under simulated courtroom conditions before a panel of upper division Moot Court Associates, who serve as judges. Participants are expected to be in courtroom attire and have proper courtroom demeanor. Participation in Soapbox is a requirement for membership in Moot Court.

Problem Distribution September 8-11, 2009

Oral Arguments September 21-25, 2009

LSP Appellate Advocacy Program

This is the second appellate advocacy program for first year students, similar to Soapbox. Participants deliver their arguments before a panel of practicing attorneys from the DC area. Participation in the LSP Appellate Advocacy program is a requirement for membership in Moot Court.

Oral Arguments To Be Determined

For more information, contact Meg McGinty, Outreach and Advancement Vice-Chancellor, megmcginty1118@gmail.com

Upper-Division Students

Current Members

Membership Requirements

Full time day students are required to participate in at least one intra-school competition each of their upper division years. Students must also complete hours as needed. Evening division and part-time students must participate in at least two intra-school competitions over the course of their three upper division years. Students must also complete hours as needed.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must petition, in writing, the Moot Court board for Associate status. See here for instructions.

For more information, please contact Zach Rothstein, Chancellor, cuamootcourt@gmail.com

Intra-School Appellate Advocacy Competitions:

The Jessup Cup International Law Competition

The Jessup Cup Competition is an appellate advocacy competition focused exclusively on international law. Participants compete in teams of two. Each team must submit a brief and deliver oral arguments before a panel of practicing attorneys. Participants with the highest overall score (participants are individually judged during oral arguments) become members of the National Jessup Cup team, which is involved in the National Jessup Cup competition throughout the entire academic year.

Problem Distribution August 26-27, 2009

Brief Due September 14, 2009

Oral Arguments September 19, 2009

For more information, contact Leah Walker, Jessup Cup Vice-Chancellor, leah_a_walker@hotmail.com

The Securities Law Competition

Participants compete individually and must submit a written brief and deliver oral arguments before a panel of practicing attorneys, within the Securities field who will act as judges. Participants with the highest overall scores will become members of the National team which is sent to the Irving R. Kaufman Memorial Moot Court Competition at Fordham University School of Law in March.

Problem Distribution September 22-24, 2009

Brief Due October 9, 2009

Oral Arguments October 17, 2009

For more information, contact Gerald O'Hara, Securities Law Vice-Chancellor, gerald.ohara@gmail.com

The Communications Law Competition

Participants compete individually and must submit a brief and deliver oral arguments before a panel of practicing attorneys. Participants with the highest overall score become members of the National team which is sent to the National Telecommunications Competition at Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in February.

Problem Distribution September 22-24, 2009

Brief Due October 9, 2009

Oral Arguments October 17, 2009

For more information, contact Patrick Halley, Communications Law Vice-Chancellor, patrickhalley@yahoo.com

The Constitutional Law Competition

This competition focuses on current constitutional law issues. Participants compete individually and must submit an appellate brief and deliver oral arguments before a panel of practicing attorneys. Participants with the highest overall scores become members of the National team which is sent to the Sutherland Cup Competition at Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in March.

Problem Distribution September 29-October 1, 2009

Brief Due October 16, 2009

Oral Arguments October 24, 2009

For more information, contact Joaquin Cabrera, Constitutional Law Vice-Chancellor, 98cabrera@cardinalmail.cua.edu

National Security Law Competition

This competition deals with legal issues surrounding national security. Participants with the highest scores will represent CUA at the National Security Law competition held at George Washington University Law School.

Problem Distribution September 15-17, 2009

Brief Due October 2, 2009

Oral Arguments October 10, 2009

For more information, contact Kip Edwards, National Security Law Vice-Chancellor, edwards.kip@gmail.com

Intellectual Property Law Competition

This competition focuses on legal issues concerning intellectual property. Participants with the highest scores will represent CUA at the Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Moot Court Competition, sponsored by the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

Problem Distribution October 26-28, 2009

Brief Due November 9, 2009

Oral Arguments November 14, 2009

For more information, contact Wade Cowart, Intellectual Property Vice-Chancellor, cowartww@gmail.com

National Moot Court Competitions Hosted by Catholic University

The National Telecommunications Competition

The National Telecommunications Competition is co-sponsored by Catholic University's Institute for Communications Law and the Federal Communications Bar Association. Teams must submit a brief and deliver oral arguments before a panel of practicing attorneys who specialize in communications law.

Oral arguments: February 5-6, 2010

Further dates TBD

For more information, contact Rachael Bender, National Telecommunications Vice-Chancellor, 28brownr@cardinalmail.cua.edu

The Sutherland Cup Competition

The Sutherland Cup Competition is the oldest National moot court competition in the United States. It is an appellate advocacy competition focusing on constitutional law. Teams must submit a brief and deliver oral arguments before a panel of practicing attorneys.

Oral Arguments March 19-20, 2010

Further dates TBD

For more information, contact Patrick Hughes, Sutherland Cup Vice-Chancellor, 01hughes@cardinalmail.cua.edu

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Zach Rothstein, Chancellor, cuamootcourt@gmail.com

At the Columbus School of Law, the academic programs are a comprehensive legal education weaving a strong theoretical foundation with sophisticated practical training. This distinctive educational approach furnishes students with the mental tools to face the demands of the 21st century.

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