What Is Moot Court?

Moot Court Provides Real-World Experience to Students at Empire School of Law

Events like the annual Roger J. Traynor California Moot Court Competition give Empire College School of Law’s students real-world legal experience. Every year, Empire Law students compete, getting valuable practice and learning what a courtroom experience really feels like. It’s one of the many ways Empire College School of Law ensures that our students are prepared to enter their legal careers. If you’re still asking, “What is Moot Court, and how does it work?” read on to learn more about the program and why it’s so important.

First and Foremost, What Is Moot Court?

Moot Court is a simulated court experience common in law school extracurricular activities. Distinguished from a mock trial by the absence of testimony and cross-examination, Moot Court focuses on appellate cases. Students research and prepare appellate briefs and argue their pre-assigned cases in front of a judge, or a professor or attorney playing the role of judge. In an appellate court, this oral argument is usually the only opportunity a lawyer has to present their case to a panel of judges, who may ask questions for a round of rebuttal.

Why Moot Court?

Moot Court provides students with the experience of researching, preparing, and presenting a 10-25-minute oral argument and defending it through rebuttals. This real-world legal experience is also an impressive addition to an application or resume as it demonstrates several important skills and an eagerness to learn. Empire School of Law’s Traynor Moot Court Competition is also a fun way to raise the school’s profile and demonstrate the skills with which students emerge from our program. This competition draws its cases from real California court cases, changing only identifying information. Working with actual past cases gives law students valuable hands-on legal experience.

How Does Real-World Legal Experience Benefit Law Students?

Moot Court has several benefits. First, it allows students to understand what aspects of law they most enjoy and where their strengths lie. Second, it demonstrates to potential employers that students have real experience with researching and presenting oral arguments in an appellate court. Participating in Moot Court, or gaining other hands-on experience like Empire’s legal clinics, helps better prepare students for a successful legal career.

Empire School of Law Students Win at Moot Court

Our students are Moot Court success stories! In 2018, Empire School of Law won the competition, receiving the Roger J. Traynor Award/1st Place for Oral Argument and #1 oralist. In 2019, Empire students won 2nd place for oral argument and brief writing, including best appellant’s brief. Empire students have won many other Moot Court awards over the years, competing against other California institutions. Empire is proud of its students, and we believe their Moot Court experiences will help them as they move forward in their legal careers. Contact us at 1-877-395-8535 to learn more about how Empire College School of Law can help you gain real-world legal experience.