Moot Court at CSULB

Director: Professor Lewis S. Ringel

Graduate Assistants: Amy Fernandez

Assistant Coaches: Anastasia Benzel, Patrick Dyson

What is Moot Court?

Moot court is the simulation of appellate argument.  Two-person legal teams compete in front of a panel of judges.  Students argue a hypothetical legal case known as “the competition case.”  To do so, students must research the cases and laws cited in “the competition case.”  Moot court judges ask students questions and grade the students on the basis of their knowledge of the case, their response to questioning, their forensic skills, and their demeanor.  Oral argument lasts 40 minutes (each side gets 20 minutes) and each student is expected to speak for a minimum of 7 minutes. 

Why Take Moot Court?

I t is fun and rewarding.  It is challenging.  It is good experience for law school and a legal career.  It will teach you how to think, speak, and write in a clearer and more precise manner.  You will learn valuable research skills.  You will improve your logical and critical thinking skills.  You will meet and network with a variety of important people in the legal, academic, and political community.

Who Judges Moot Court?

Moot court judges can be most anyone who is familiar with the record and the law or the legal system. Judges at the 2006 Western Regional included several California Superior Court Judges, an administrative law judge, a law school dean, several CSULB faculty, members of the California Bar, a lawyer specializing in customs law, two senatorial aides, a political consultant who specializes in public affairs work, a writer, graduate students, and numerous former law school and undergraduate mooters. Judges at the national tournament included former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, several Virginia judges, law school deans, law school faculty, members of the Virginia Bar, and law students. The only restriction is that judges cannot be undergraduates.

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in judging at future tournaments please contact Professor Ringel

The History of Moot Court at CSULB

If you're interested in where CSULB has been, check out this history.

If you're interested in the history of the Western Regional at CSULB, you'll find it here: Western Regional Tournament.

How do I get into Moot Court?

IMPORTANT: Participation in the CSULB program is by

permission of the instructor (Dr. Ringel).

Students who wish to participate in the political science department's moot court program need to apply. Please note that the application deadline for the fall 2010 semester is April 5, 2010.

Once accepted by Dr. Ringel, applicants need to enroll in:

417. Legal Practices: Moot Court (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of either: POSC 311 or 312, AND one of: POSC 318, 412, or 414; and upper division standing. Study and acquisition of the skills of lawyering, including legal research, reasoning, writing, and trial advocacy. Substantive study of civil liberties.

Enrollment in this course is by instructor permission only. Please contact Professor Ringel at lringel@csulb.edu for further information. His office is SPA 336. Phone: 562-985-4708.

POSC 417 is a demanding and rigorous course. Students should anticipate a challenging but exciting and extremely worthwhile experience. Contact Professor Ringel to see his latest syllabus or click 417 syllabus.

The 2009-2010 case can be found at:

 http://falcon.fsc.edu/mootcourt/

Check Out These Photos

CHECK OUT THESE PHOTOS

CSULB at the 2008 National Moot Court Competition

CSULB team with former Attorney General of the U.S. John Ashcroft.

CSULB 2008 Moot Court team with Judge Paul Turner and Professor Lewis Ringel at the 2008 Western Regional held at CSULB.

 

Read What Former Moot Court Students Say About Moot Court

Looking for information about the Western Regional Moot Court Competition at CSULB?

Information for the 2009 Western Regional Tournament

Registration Form for Western Regional Moot Court Competition

Hotel Information

Links to Moot Court in the U.S.

American Collegiate Moot Court Association

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TestMasters has generously helped to sponsor the 2009 Western Regional. We would also like to acknowledge the support of the CSULB 49er Shops, Lanahan Publishing, Prentice-Hall and McGraw-Hill. Thanks to everyone elso who has supported and continues to support our Moot Court program, including Scott Allen and the Hauth Center.