DePaul Law has a tradition of preparing strong courtroom advocates. Through courtroom competitions, you can build on classroom training in appellate and trial advocacy, develop written and oral advocacy skills, and test your preparation in competitions with students from law schools across the country.
Moot Court Society
DePaul Law’s nationally ranked Moot Court Team fields student teams in appellate advocacy competitions across the country. The program is supported by an engaged alumni board made up of former team members who serve as coaches and mentors, a valuable resource for student competitors. To prepare for competitions, team members are enrolled in a specialized brief writing course that culminates in the Honorable William J. Bauer Moot Court Competition, an annual intramural appellate competition in which student teams brief a hypothetical appellate problem and argue the case before practicing attorneys and judges. The following semester, students are enrolled in an advanced advocacy class to further hone their appellate training.
National Trial Team
National Trial Team students work collaboratively on mock trial competitions against student teams from law schools across the country. Participating students are enrolled in a class specifically designed to hone their courtroom skills. For each competition, team members develop the trial theory and techniques used to try a jury case from start to finish, culminating with students demonstrating their skills in a national mock trial competition.
Additional Competitions
DePaul Law students also may participate in ABA practical skills competitions focused on client counseling and negotiation, as well as the student-run Appellate Team of the Moot Court Society.