Invitation to Compete in the Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup

The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law

September 29, 2025

Dear Law School Students/Moot Court Advisors/Deans:

The Moot Court Association Board of the Columbus School of Law cordially invites you to compete in the 2026 Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup National First Amendment Moot Court Competition, to be held on Friday and Saturday, March 20-21, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

This annual competition invites the nation’s leading law schools to debate a current First Amendment controversy that has not yet received significant attention from the courts. Competing teams will argue before panels of prestigious judges, attorneys, and law faculty.

We are proud to announce that this year’s competition - in both written brief and oral argument - is open to a maximum of 32 teams, one of the largest competition fields to date. The competition is open to 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students from ABA-accredited law schools. There is a $900 fee2 associated with the competition, payable no later than 11:59 PM ET on October 29, 2025. Later applicants and additional teams from the same school may still apply on a conditional basis (placed on a waitlist) to be considered if a spot opens, as the Moot Court Board reviews applications from the initial 32-team field.

The competition will be conducted in-person on the campus of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. This year’s competition is co-sponsored by the Center for Religious Liberty at the Columbus School of Law, and their support will fund a $500 award to the winning team.

The Intent-to-Compete application and registration fee may be submitted as of 12:00 p.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. The application will close no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

A final determination of the competing teams will be made no later Friday, November 7, 2025, and all applicants will be notified of their status.

1. The Moot Court Association Board reserves the right to expand the field beyond 32-teams for any reason. Teams accepted beyond the initial 32-team pool will be required to pay the entry fee upon admittance to the competition.

2. The $900 entry fee for teams accepted to compete is refundable only in the event that the competition is canceled. Within 48-hours of submission of the Intent-to-compete form the first 32 teams to submit will receive an email confirming their conditional registration to the competition, pending receipt of payment. The confirmation email will also contain instructions on how to submit the registration fee, which will be due no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on October 29, 2025.

After the first 32 teams have registered, the intent-to-compete form will remain open for conditional applications, to be placed on a waitlist for consideration if a spot opens. Payment is not required for conditional applications.

Please see the Competition website for the Competition Rules and further details. Additional information will be posted periodically.

If you experience any difficulty in accessing the application or with payment submission, please contact Sarah Webster, Vice Chancellor of the Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup First Amendment Moot Court Competition, via email at seigenthaler.sutherland@gmail.com. Please indicate your name, school affiliation, and a contact e-mail address/telephone number in your message.

We hope you will join us for this exciting opportunity.

Sincerely,

Moot Court Association Board Columbus School of Law,
The Catholic University of America

Important Dates

Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup 2024 National First Amendment Moot Court Competition

Sept. 29, 2025 Intent-to-Compete application opens at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Oct. 29, 2025 Deadline to submit registration fee is 11:59 p.m. ET. Waitlisted applications do not require payment.
Nov. 7, 2025 Teams are notified regarding competition status.
Nov. 17, 2025¹Distribution of Problem and Rules to all registered teams.
Jan. 30, 2026 Briefs Due: briefs must be submitted via email by 11:59 p.m. ET.
Feb. 16, 2026 Competitors’ Briefs will be posted on the competition website.
March 20-21 2026 Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup National First Amendment Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C.