Participating in appellate competitions is a great way to improve your research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills. Competitors act as attorneys in a simulated appeal. Teams compete in at least two rounds, arguing once for the petitioner/appellant and once for the respondent. Judges for these competitions are local attorneys. Winners move on to regional competition.
The Appellate Competition takes place once each semester (fall/spring).
In order to get an idea of the competition, feel free to take a look at the Fall 2007 problem and Spring 2008 problem.
Pre-Requisites for Appellate Participation
Each competitor must have at least a 2.0 GPA and either have already completed Legal Writing II or be actively enrolled in that course in order to compete in the Appellate Competition.
Materials
- Writing Appellate Briefs (Word)
- Drafting Persuasive Arguments (PowerPoint)
- Effective Arguments (PowerPoint)
- How to Prepare for and Give an Effective Oral Argument (PowerPoint)
