Moot Court

Established in 1968, the student run Florida State University Moot Court Team is recognized as one of the nation's leading university moot court teams. Composed of thirty members, the Florida State University Moot Court Team annually attends Regional, National, and International competitions. Team membership provides an invaluable opportunity to improve writing and oral advocacy in a competitive environment.

Participation in Moot Court allows individual teams of between two and three members to compete against other universities in an appellate court atmosphere. As part of any given competition, individual teams write at least one brief and argue several oral rounds before judges. Academic credit is available for each competition. Individual team coaches are drawn from the Florida State University College of Law faculty and surrounding community. Legal issues addressed include the First Amendment, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, Sports Law, International Law, Environmental Law, Evidence, Workers' Compensation, Cyber Law, Corporate Law, Securities, Labor & Employment, and Entertainment/Communications Law.

Up to fifteen new members are selected each Spring from the first year class. Team members are expected to attend at least two competitions over the course of their two-year team membership. Students are chosen during the three-day Annual Spring Intramural Competition sponsored by the law firm of Gray Harris. All first year students are eligible to try-out. Selection is based on a written brief score and a cumulative oral score developed over three rounds of oral argument. The written brief is the same brief required as part of the first year legal writing course. Oral arguments are similar to those conducted as part of the first year legal writing course. Information regarding the Spring Intramural Competition is distributed throughout the first and second semester.