New England School of Law

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Background Information

New England School of Law offers moot court and mock trial activities that allow students to put their developing legal writing and advocacy skills into practice in a simulated courtroom environment.

Moot Court/Mock Trial activities generally fall within two categories. First, the student Moot Court Board organizes two competitions each year. A Mock Trial competition is generally held each fall and a Client Counseling competition is generally held each spring. Second, the school sponsors numerous teams that compete in regional and national advocacy competitions. Further details of both of these programs are set forth below.

Students are able to participate in these activities in a variety of ways. First, participation in the in-house competitions is generally open to all upper class students. Upper class students can also join the Moot Court Board and help organize the in-house competitions. In addition, all students are encouraged to help out in the administration of the in-house competitions. For example, many first year students find it quite helpful to act as a witness in a mock trial between two teams of upper class law students.

As to the traveling teams, the faculty coach of each team generally sets out the procedure for trying out for the team.

Even for students not considering litigation practice, moot court and mock trial offer valuable opportunities for research and writing and a forum to sharpen persuasive advocacy skills.

Involvement in moot court and mock trial also provides an introduction to the legal community, through contact with the practicing attorneys and judges who judge the sessions. Outstanding performance on moot court or mock trial can be impressive to future employers as well.

In-House Competitions

These competitions are generally open to all upper class students. Please consult the Moot Court Board's TWEN site for further information.

Mock Trial

  • Focuses on the refinement of trial advocacy skills. Teams of two students (plu an alternate) conduct all trial aspects of either a civil or criminal case.
  • Participants are judged on the quality of their arguments, direct and cross examinations, and their understanding of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Client Counseling

  • Focuses on the lawyer's role as a professional in providing advice to client.
  • Participants are judged on the manner in which they interact with their clients rather than in-depth understanding of substantive law (that is, this is not a research competition).

Travel Teams

The procedure for trying out for these teams is generally set by the respective coach. For further information on the teams, please contact the respective coach:

National Trial Competition

  • 1990-91 and 1991-92 -- Teams from New England School of Law won the Northeast Regional Mock Trial Competitions
  • 1994-95 -- Both teams representing the school advanced to the semifinals
  • 1995-96 -- Advanced to quarterfinals, one team finished fifth and one finished sixth
  • 1997-98 -- Both New England's teams advanced to semifinals

National Appellate Advocacy Competition

  • Annual appellate competition sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Teams of law students from throughout the country participate in regional rounds. Winners of the regional rounds travel to New York for the national competition.
  • 1995-96 -- Advanced to regional semifinals
  • 1995-96 -- Advanced to semifinals/one of three teams that entered semifinals undefeated

Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition

  • Annual interscholastic competition among more than 300 American and foreign law schools
  • Focuses on brief writing and oral advocacy in international law
  • 1994-95 -- New England hosted the Northeast Regional Jessup competition, at which two New England students won top oralist awards
  • 1995-96 -- The school's team advanced to the regional semifinals
  • 1996-97 -- Team advanced to the regional finals and won the Best Brief Award and the Best Oralist Award
  • 1997-98 -- Advanced to the regional finals, Best Oralist Award, Runner-up/Best Brief Award
  • 1998-99--Fourth Best Brief Award

National Tax Moot Court Competition

  • Appellate advocacy competition sponsored by the Tax Section of the Florida Bar Association
  • Teams from around the country submit briefs and participate in an oral advocacy competition in St. Petersburg, Florida.
  • 1994-95 -- New England team won the Best Brief Award
  • 1995-96 -- Team was runner-up for the highest brief award
  • 1997-98 -- Best Appellee Brief

Environmental Moot Court Competition

  • Largest competition of its kind. Attracts more than 70 teams from all over the United States. Held at Pace Law School
  • Teams write detailed briefs taking one side of a current environmental problem drafted by the Environmental Law Institute, then argue multiple positions in the oral phase of the competition
  • Team members have won oralist awards
  • 1995-96 -- In two of three rounds, second best oralist award
  • 1996-97 -- Advanced to semifinals/Only Boston area school to advance that far
  • 1998-99--Won a speaker award in a preliminary round

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