Students interview and counsel a client, suggesting the advantages and disadvantages of possible courses of action. The competition emphasizes communication and other interpersonal skills essential to sound representation of clients. The Young Lawyers Section of the Bar Association of the City of New York sponsors the National Moot Court Competition. Students write briefs and present oral arguments in a simulated appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The College s team, selected in an intra-school competition, participates in the regional competition.
Regional winners go to the national finals in New York City.
Students from the College of Law have also participated in recent years in the regional appellate advocacy competition sponsored by the American Bar Association. The Natural Resources Law Moot Court Competition is sponsored by the University of Denver and the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. The competition focuses on controversial topics relating to natural resources law. The competition is designed to encourage the development of trial skills in all aspects of civil trials. The winners of the intra-school competition go on to compete in the regional competition sponsored by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.