Polsinelli Shughart Fall Moot Court

Only open to rising 2L and 3L students, the Fall Moot Court Competition simulates the steps involved in the appellate process. Students write a brief on a given problem over the summer break and then have an opportunity to present their argument to a panel of judges the first week of the Fall semester.

All competitors argue “on brief” the first night of the competition and then “off brief” the second night. Twelve 2L students move on to the Semi-Final rounds and then the top six 2Ls will advance to the Final Rounds and will present their arguments to a panel made up of the current and former Missouri Supreme Court Justices in Jefferson City. At the conclusion of the Final Rounds, the Justices will announce the Top 2L Oral Advocate and the Top 2L Appellate Brief. All 2L Finalists will become the University of Missouri’s Moot Court Team and be required to enroll in the Moot Court class with the Board of Advocates faculty advisor.

3Ls do not advance to the Semi-Finals or Finals. However, awards are presented for Top 3L Oral Advocate and Top 3L Appellate Brief.

Students participating in the Polsinelli Shughart Fall Moot Court will receive one credit hour graded as pass/fail. Students can participate in this competition in both their 2L and 3L year, earning them a total of two credit hours overall.