Created by Prof. Joe Lester, Nova Southeastern,
for the Law School Trial Team Community
Fall Moot Court Competition Information
THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BUT IS AS CURRENT AS OF June 5, 2026.
Competitions are Listed in Chronological Order by Oral Argument Date
National Health Law Moot Court Competition
Hosted by Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School in Carbondale, Illinois, with the support of the American College of Legal Medicine and the American Health Law Association. The National Health Law Moot Court Competition is an inter-law school appellate moot court competition that brings teams from across the country together to argue contemporary issues in health law and policy.
Date of Oral Argument: November 13-14, 2026.
Date Problem Drops: August 3, 2026. Any amended problem will be released on August 17, 2026.
Date Brief is Due: September 11, 2026.
Format: Up to 26 teams from ABA-accredited law schools may participate. Each school may enter one or two teams, depending on available space. Each team consists of two or three law students currently enrolled in a J.D. program. Each team is guaranteed two preliminary oral argument rounds before any eliminations. After preliminary rounds, the top twelve teams advance, with the top four teams receiving a first-round bye into the quarterfinals and teams ranked five through twelve competing in the octofinal round. Oral argument scores count for 60% of the team’s score, and brief scores count for 40%. Each team has 30 minutes total for oral argument, and petitioner may reserve up to five minutes for rebuttal.
Awards/Recognition: The competition recognizes the Champion, Runner-Up, Third Place Teams, Best Brief, Second Place Brief, Best Preliminary Round Oral Advocate, and Best Overall Oral Advocate. The best brief will also be published in the Journal of Legal Medicine, and the top five preliminary-round speakers receive plaques. Prizes include awards for first place, second place, third place, best brief, runner-up best brief, best overall speaker, and best preliminary-round speaker.
Host School: Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School
Cost: The official rules list August 28, 2026, as the entry-fee deadline, but the amount of the fee is not listed in the provided materials.
Where to Apply: Registration is expected to open June 1, 2026, through Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School’s National Health Law Moot Court Competition registration page.
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Claude Pepper Elder Law Moot Court Competition
Hosted by Florida State University College of Law’s Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic, the Claude Pepper Elder Law Moot Court Competition brings teams from across the country to Tallahassee, Florida, to compete in an appellate advocacy competition focused on elder law. The 2026 competition topic will address consumer protection issues within nursing facilities. The competition is presented in partnership with the AARP Foundation, which supports advocacy for older adults and will provide prize money for top teams and participants.
Date of Oral Argument: October 9-10, 2026. Preliminary rounds will take place on October 9, and the final rounds, awards dinner, and ceremony will take place on October 10.
Date Problem Drops: TBD.
Date Brief is Due: TBD.
Format: Schools may enter up to two teams. Each team may consist of up to three students, though only two students may argue, and the same two students must argue in all rounds. The competition will be held live in Tallahassee, Florida, at the FSU College of Law Advocacy Center, which was formerly home to Florida’s First District Court of Appeal. The final round will be live-streamed.
Awards/Recognition: Awards and prize money will be presented to top teams and participants, with support from the AARP Foundation.
Host School: Florida State University College of Law, Advocacy Center, Tallahassee, Florida.
Cost: The registration fee is $800 per team.
Where to Apply: Registration opens in May. Schools should check the Claude Pepper Elder Law Moot Court Competition page for registration updates and rules.
Contact: Rima Nathan at rnathan@law.fsu.edu.
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Billings, Exum, & Frye National Moot Court Competition
Hosted by Elon University School of Law, the Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition is a national appellate moot court competition held in Greensboro, North Carolina. The competition honors three former Chief Justices of the North Carolina Supreme Court: Rhoda Billings, James Exum, and Henry Frye. The competition focuses on constitutional law issues and gives law students the opportunity to develop and showcase their written and oral appellate advocacy skills.
Date of Oral Argument: October 22-24, 2026. The competition will be held in person in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Date Problem Drops: On or about August 21, 2026. The competition rules will be released on or about August 17, 2026.
Date Brief is Due: September 21, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Requests for clarifications are due September 4,
2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
Format: Each school may register one or two teams, with two or three students per team. The competition features appellate advocacy rounds judged by federal and state judges, law professors, and experienced attorneys. Teams submit written briefs and compete in oral argument rounds. The competition includes preliminary rounds, followed by elimination rounds, including octofinals, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship round. In prior rules, preliminary-round scores were based on 60% oral argument and 40% brief score, octofinal scores were based on 70% oral argument and 30% brief score, quarterfinal scores were based on 80% oral argument and 20% brief score, and semifinal and final rounds were determined by oral argument scores.
Awards/Recognition: Awards are presented for team performance, best briefs, and best oral advocates. The championship team’s name is engraved on the Chief Justices’ Cup, which is permanently displayed at Elon Law. The winning law school also receives a replica of the Chief Justices’ Cup. Awards are also presented for the best Petitioner briefs, best Respondent briefs, best advocate in the final round, and top preliminary-round advocates.
Host School: Elon University School of Law, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Cost: Early Bird Registration runs through May 31, 2026, and costs $500 for one team or $900 for two teams. Regular Registration runs through August 17, 2026, or until the field reaches 36 teams, and costs $600 for one team or $1,100 for two teams.
Where to Apply: Schools may register through Elon University School of Law’s competition registration page HERE.
Contact: Alan D. Woodlief, Jr., Director of the Moot Court Program at Elon University School of Law, at awoodlief@elon.edu.
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Peter James Johnson ’49 Memorial National Civil Rights Trial Competition
Hosted by the Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute at St. John’s University School of Law, the Peter James Johnson ’49 Memorial National Civil Rights Trial Competition gives competitors the opportunity to litigate a civil rights case in a courtroom setting before prominent jurists and trial attorneys. Competitors are expected to use and follow the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure during each trial.
Date of Oral Argument: October 22-25, 2026.
Date Problem Drops: The 2026 date is TBD.
Date Brief is Due: The 2026 date is TBD.
Format: The competition will be held in New York. Two preliminary rounds will take place at a New York Courthouse on Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23. The quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will take place at St. John’s University School of Law on Saturday, October 24. The final round will be held at St. John’s University School of Law in the Belson Moot Court Room on Sunday, October 25.
Awards/Recognition: The 2026 awards and recognition information is TBD.
Host School: St. John’s University School of Law, Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute.
Cost: The competition fee is $900, due upon acceptance.
Where to Apply: Schools should submit the Peter James Johnson ’49 Memorial Civil Rights Trial Competition Application Google Form no later than July 15, 2026. Competing teams are expected to be notified by email no later than July 22, 2026. Apple HERE.
Contact: Questions may be sent to stjptaievents@gmail.com.
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Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition
Hosted by Regent University School of Law, the Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition is a national appellate moot court competition focused on constitutional law. The competition is designed to help law students strengthen their appellate advocacy skills while fostering professionalism and collegiality among competing teams.
Date of Oral Argument: October 29-31, 2026.
Date Problem Drops: August 1, 2026.
Date Brief is Due: September 30, 2026.
Format: The competition will accept up to 32 teams, and schools may register up to two teams. Each team may consist of two or three current J.D. students. Teams submit a written appellate brief and participate in oral argument rounds. Each team is generally assigned to argue both Petitioner and Respondent during the preliminary rounds. The competition includes preliminary rounds followed by elimination rounds. Oral argument is limited to 30 minutes per team, divided between two oralists, with each oralist arguing at least 12 minutes. Petitioner may reserve up to five minutes for rebuttal. In rounds other than the final, team scores are based on both the brief and oral argument.
Awards/Recognition: Awards include recognition for top briefs, top oralists, teams advancing to elimination rounds, finalists, and the competition champion.
Host School: Regent University School of Law, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Cost: The registration fee is $700 for the first team and $650 for a second team from the same school.
Where to Apply: Registration Deadline is August 1, 2026. Sign up HERE.
Contact: Mike Hernandez and Jennifer Franklin, Moot Court Advisors for Regent University School of Law. Jennifer R. Franklin may be reached at jennfr1@regent.edu.
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Chapman/Lewis & Clark Moot Court Competition
Hosted by Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law and Lewis & Clark Law School, the Chapman/Lewis & Clark Moot Court Competition is an invitational appellate moot court competition returning for its second year. The tentative topic, for the 2026 competition, in true Oregon fashion, will involve marijuana law.
Date of Oral Argument: October 30-November 1, 2026.
Date Problem Drops: August 14, 2026.
Date Brief is Due: The 2026 brief deadline is TBD.
Format: The competition will invite approximately 16 to 20 teams. Schools may apply for one or two teams. Based on the 2025 rules, each registered team may consist of two or three members. The 2025 competition format included four preliminary rounds, with each team arguing on-brief twice and off-brief twice. The top four teams advanced to the semifinal round, and the semifinal winners advanced to the final round. Each competitor received 15 minutes for oral argument, and petitioner could reserve up to four minutes of one competitor’s time for rebuttal. For preliminary rounds, oral argument scores were weighted 70%, and brief scores were weighted 30%. For semifinal and final rounds, oral argument scores determined the winner. The 2026 rules have not yet been released, so the final 2026 format may be subject to change.
Awards/Recognition: The 2026 awards and recognition information is TBD.
Host School: Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law and Lewis & Clark Law School. The 2026 competition will be hosted in Portland, Oregon.
Cost: Registration will be $750 per team.
Where to Apply: Applications are expected to be released on July 1, 2026, with a close date of July 15, 2026. Accepted schools will be notified by July 22, 2026. Formal application link is TBD.
Contact: John Bishop at bishop@chapman.edu.
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Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competition: Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competition
Hosted by the Moot Court Committee of the Young Lawyers Section of The Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competition gives students from ABA-accredited law schools across the country the opportunity to develop their research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. CBA members serve as volunteer brief graders and oral argument judges, giving competitors a realistic appellate advocacy experience.
Date of Oral Argument: November 19-21, 2026. Preliminary Rounds 1 and 2 will take place on November 19, Preliminary Round 3 and the Octofinal Round will take place on November 20, and the Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and Final Rounds will take place on November 21.
Date Problem Drops: Week of August 14, 2026. The competition rules will also be distributed to registered teams that week.
Date Brief is Due: October 16, 2026. Team Information Forms are due September 11, 2026.
Format: Each ABA-accredited law school may enter up to two teams, with separate registration dates for Team A and Team B. Each team consists of two or three law students pursuing a J.D. degree. The competition is expected to include approximately 30 teams. Teams submit an appellate brief and compete in oral argument rounds. The competition includes three preliminary rounds, followed by octofinals, quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final round. Each team has 30 minutes for oral argument, and Petitioner may reserve up to five minutes for rebuttal. The competition will be held in person in downtown Chicago, but may shift to a virtual format on the same dates if necessary due to a public health emergency.
Awards/Recognition: Awards are presented for Best Oralist, runner-up Best Oralist, Best Brief, runner-up Best Brief, First Place Team, and Second Place Team.
Cost: TBD for 2026–2027.
Where to Apply: Team A registration opens July 6, 2026. Team B registration opens July 20, 2026. Schools interested in participating, joining the waitlist, or being added to the competition mailing list should contact the competition committee.
Contact: mootcourt@chicagobar.org.
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National Moot Court Competition
Co-sponsored by the New York City Bar Association’s National Moot Court Competition Committee and the American College of Trial Lawyers, the National Moot Court Competition is one of the oldest and most prestigious inter-law school appellate advocacy competitions in the country. Founded in 1950, the competition gives law students the opportunity to develop and showcase their written and oral appellate advocacy skills. More than 150 accredited law schools and over 1,000 students participate through regional rounds and the National Final Rounds each year.
Date of Oral Argument: Regional rounds will be held in November 2026. The National Final Rounds will take place January 27-29, 2027, in New York, New York.
Date Problem Drops: TBD.
Date Brief is Due: TBD.
Format: The competition consists of regional rounds and National Final Rounds. The United States is divided into 15 regions, and schools compete in their assigned regional competition. Regional sponsors grade briefs and conduct oral arguments for the law school teams in each region. Two law schools from each regional competition may qualify for the National Finals. Each team must have no fewer than two and no more than three members. Regions 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12 through 15 permit two teams per school.
Awards/Recognition: Awards include the National Champion, Best Oral Advocate, and other team and individual recognitions. The Fulton Haight Award of $2,500 is presented to the law school of the winning team, and the Fulton Haight Award plaque is presented to the Best Oral Advocate of the Competition.
Cost: Registration is $600 for one team and $500 for a second team. Regional sponsors may register one team for free and should contact the Moot Court Program Coordinator for a promo code.
Where to Apply: Registration is now open. Schools may register online through the New York City Bar Association registration page HERE. Schools may also pay by check by completing the registration form, printing it, and mailing it with payment to New York City Bar, 42 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036, Attn: Finance.
Contact: Stephanie Glazer, Moot Court Program Coordinator, at sglazer@nycbar.org or 212.382.6664. Rule interpretation requests may also be sent to mootcourt@nycbar.org.