Moot Court is appellate advocacy, wherin students act as if they are arguing a case on appeal to the Supreme Court, and it is arguably one of most challenging and rewarding activities in which Duke Law students participate. Moot Court is a forum for you to put on your professional clothes, stand before your professors and peers, and put your classroom knowledge and oral skills to the test.
All first-year students compete in the Hardt Moot Court competition, where they argue an appellate brief and endure rigorous questioning by the judges (second- and third-year students). Those who score highest in this competition, or in the Dean’s Cup competition, are invited to join the prestigious student-run Moot Court Board. This opens the door to many opportunities: Within the law school, the Board assists the legal research and writing instructors in teaching appellate advocacy and organizes and runs the Moot Court competitions. Joining the Moot Court Board also affords students the opportunity to compete in interscholastic moot court competitions around the country, where topics include intellectual property, products liability, securities, labor, and constitutional law.
Regardless of whether or not you advance to the competitive level, and regardless or the type of law you intend to practice, Moot Court is an invaluable aspect of your professional training. It’s an opportunity to really think on your feet and an exciting way to hone your speaking, advocacy, and legal analysis skills.