Moot Court and Lawyering Skills
Moot Court and Lawyering Skills Program
Pursue your passion with the thrill of intellectual competition.
At Moritz, we believe in kindling the flame of potential from the outset. Embarking on this journey, our Moot Court and Lawyering Skills Program covers the vast expanse of trial advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, and appellate argumentation, offering a spectrum opportunities to develop key lawyering skills.
Competitions
Our intramural competitions include:
- James K.L. Lawrence Negotiations Competition
- Appellate Advocacy Performance Arguments/Herman Moot Court Competition
- Moritz 1L Moot Court Competition
- Michael F. Colley Trial Competition
In the Travel Team Program, second-and third-year law students represent Moritz at moot court and lawyering skills competitions across the country.
2026-2027 Competitions Include:
Moot Court:
- The National Moot Court Competition
- National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC)
- Child Welfare and Adoption Law National Moot Court competition
- Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition
- National Energy & Sustainability Moot Court Competition
- William B. Spong, Jr. Moot Court Tournament
- Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot
Transactional Law:
- The Closer National Transactional Law Competition
Mock Trial:
- Law National All Star Bracket Challenge
- Ohio Attorney General's Public Service Mock Trial Competition
- First Chair Trial Competition
- National Trial Competition
- Student Trial Advocacy Competition
Awards and Honors
Recent travel team program successes include:
- Regional Champion: ABA Negotiation Competition (2025)
- Regional Finalist: ABA Representation in Mediation (2026)
- Regional Finalist: All Star Bracket Challenge (2025)
- Regional Semi-finalist: National Trial Competition (2026)
- Quarterfinalist: Child Welfare and Adoption Law National Moot Court competition (2026)
- Quarterfinalist: Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition (2026)
- Quarterfinalist: National Energy & Sustainability Moot Court Competition (2026)
- Quarterfinalist: The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition (2025)
- Quarterfinalist: Civil Rights and Liberties Competition (2025)
- Champions: Cara Snider and Caroline Bossa
- Second Place: Shukri Zanika and Regis Wintermantel
- Best Brief: Emma Smith and Grace Iannarino
- Top Oralist: Emma Smith
Overall Champions (Tied)
- Owen Crum & Kimmy Sullivan
- Manar Alrjub & Simon Soros
Semi-finalist
- Zach Paganini & Ashka Gupta
- Diana Rosales & Samantha Mauri
Established June 5, 1964, by Isadore and Ida Topper in memory of their friend George R. Beneman, a Washington, D.C. attorney. The Beneman Award recognizes outstanding performance in the Moot Court Program.
- The recipient for the 2025-2026 term was John Banks
The Order of Barristers is a national honorary organization established in 1965, originating from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. Its mission is to promote excellence in oral advocacy and brief writing through law school programs, facilitating the exchange of ideas and resources among schools. Initially a local society, it expanded nationally, with over 100 law school chapters recognized for their moot court and mock trial programs. The Order honors individuals excelling in advocacy and service at their respective school.
2026-2027 Moot Court Governing Board Members
Chief Justice: Hannah Snyder
Executive Justice of Competitions: Shukri Zanika
Executive Justice of Travel Teams: Nancy Ghosh
Executive Justices of Judge Recruitment: Sophie Susano, Morgan Frye
Executive Justices of Lawyering Skills: Nick Paul, Maddy Sandoval
Justices of Advocacy Skills: Sarah Gallo, Matthew Early, Erin Goodburn
Justices of the 1L Competition: Laila Lowe, Dylan Ramey, Gabriella Donatucci
Justice of Marketing: Lena DiPuccio
Justices of Mock Trial: Aashka Gupta, Cara Snider
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