The Trial Advocacy Division
Each year, the Trial Advocacy Division sends fifteen competitive teams to some of the most prestigious competitions in the country in locations as close as Manhattan and Buffalo and as far as Los Angeles, California and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Members of the Trial Advocacy Division comprise a four-member team and compete in simulated full trial competitions against other schools. Students develop case theories and craft motions in limine, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments. Competitors have a unique opportunity to think on their feet while making objections to evidence and responding to objections from adversaries while implementing the Federal Rules of Evidence, Civil Procedure and Criminal Procedure. Competitors spend a considerable amount of time preparing for competition by engaging in "practice trials.” Teams are aided by faculty and student coaches, who provide critique and assistance in preparing for trial.
Members in the Trial Advocacy Division truly excel in the art of oral argument and persuasion. Trial Advocacy Division members win competitions every year, and have consistently placed in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final rounds in regional and national competitions.
Please contact Christine Rodriguez (christine.rodriguez@brooklaw.edu) with any questions regarding the Trial Division of MCHS.
Selection to the Trial Advocacy Division: The Intramural Trial Advocacy Competition
The Trial Advocacy Division of the Moot Court Honor Society invites all 1L, 2L and 3P students to participate in the Intramural Trial Competition in the Spring semester. From this competition, the Trial Division selects new members to join the Society and compete the following year in competitions around the country. The dates of the Intramural Trial Competition will be announced in January.
The Intramural Trial Competition consists of two rounds. In each round, a student must deliver an Opening Statement and conduct the Cross Examination of a witness portrayed by a current member of the Society. Opening statements should not be longer than 5 minutes and cross-examinations should not be longer than 10 minutes. Students will be provided with a Trial Record one week prior to the first round, Students participating in the Intramural Trial Competition will be assigned to either the prosecution or the defense and will be assigned the witness they will cross-examine.
The 80 highest scoring students from Round One shall be invited to compete in Round Two. The opening and cross-examination requirements of the second round are identical to the first round. Scores are based entirely on a competitor’s performance.
Current members of the Trial Advocacy Division judge students participating in the Intramural Trial Competition. Judges look for competitors that manifest a basic familiarity with the content and purpose of an opening statement and cross-examination and who are able to advocate with confidence and conviction. Society members will demonstrate the fundamentals of opening statements and cross-examinations in a workshop prior to the competition. Competitors are not expected to know the rules of evidence; however, judges may raise an objection during a competitor’s cross-examination to test quick thinking and poise under pressure. Students are not required to have materials memorized, but minimal reliance on paper will be rewarded.
All non-graduating students who wish to participate will be considered. However, in accordance with the by-laws of the Moot Court Honor Society, no more that 33% of admitted new members may be non-graduating upper-class students.
Please contact Nathaniel Moore (nathaniel.moore@brooklaw.edu) with any questions regarding selection for membership in the Trial Division of MCHS.
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