Interscholastic Competitions

Three in-house competitions give students the opportunity to compete in appellate and mock trials before judicial panels made up of faculty, practicing attorneys and judges. At post-competition receptions, students meet and network with panel members, many of them prominent alumni. The list of past judges is impressive.

The competitions:

• Honorable Walter H. McLaughlin Appellate Advocacy Competition
  This fall-term, invitation-only, competition is open to students selected as best oral advocate or distinguished oral advocate of their first year Legal Practice Skills section. Eligible students are notified in mid-summer and given materials one week before competing. Students compete individually, arguing both the appellant and appellee sides of the issue.
• The Moot Court Trial Competition
  Each winter, the Suffolk University Law School Moot Court Honor Board hosts a prominent trial competition for upper level law students that have completed either their first full year in the Day Division or two full years in the Evening Division. Students compete in two-member teams and prepare opening statements, direct and cross examinations of witnesses and closing arguments. Students are judged by prominent judges, lawyers and professors on their oral advocacy and trial preparation skills. Students in the Second- and Third-Year Day Division or the Third- and Fourth-Year Evening Division are eligible to compete.
• Tom C. Clark Appellate Advocacy Competition
  Named after former Supreme Court Justice Tom C. Clark, the competition is open to any student who has completed their first year of law school. Held in the spring term, requirements include preparing a written appellate brief, and oral arguments presented by two-student teams. Each student argues one of two issues before a three-judge panel. Students must be prepared to argue both sides of the issue. 

Intent-to-compete forms may be obtained at the Moot Court Honor Board office, Sargent Hall, Suite 420.