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Discover the excitement of Moot Court

Curious about Moot Court? Dive into a program that hones your legal writing and advocacy skills while competing with peers nationwide.

What is Moot Court?

The Moot Court Council at Washburn Law is a prestigious honor society that offers students the chance to enhance their legal writing and oral advocacy skills through rigorous competition. Participants, selected for their exceptional abilities in written and oral advocacy, form teams to write and argue briefs on various legal topics. This hands-on experience simulates real-world legal challenges and prepares students for a successful career in law.
Students practice with faculty in the trial courtroom.

Benefits of joining

  • Practical experience: Gain invaluable practical skills in legal writing and oral advocacy. Moot Court challenges you to craft compelling legal arguments and present them effectively, mirroring the demands of actual legal practice.
  • Learning and feedback: Receive constructive feedback from judges and peers, helping you to refine your arguments and improve your legal reasoning. This iterative learning process is crucial for your development as a lawyer.
  • Networking opportunities: Compete against law students from across the country, building connections that can lead to internships, job opportunities and lasting professional relationships.
  • Travel and exposure: Travel to national competitions with most expenses covered by Washburn Law. Experience new places while showcasing your advocacy skills on a grand stage.
  • Academic fulfillment: Use your Moot Court participation to fulfill upper-level oral and writing requirements, integrating this enriching experience into your academic journey.
How to join
Awards

Since 1969, the Topeka firm of Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds, and Palmer has sponsored the annual Lester M. Goodell Memorial Intramural Moot Court Competition. This competition is conducted in the fall of each academic year. Initially, the Goodell Award recognized the top oralist in the intramural competition. In 1979, a second award was created to recognize the top brief writer. The name of each recipient is engraved on the Goodell trophies and plaque which are permanently on display at the law school.

This endowed prize fund has been established through a gift to the Washburn Law School Foundation from John K. Kleinheksel, '72. The prize is divided among the members of the Moot Court team that achieve the highest final ranking in an interschool competition.

The Faculty Brief Award is presented each year to team members who author the best interscholastic competition brief. The Moot Court Faculty Committee chooses from among the briefs written by Washburn Moot Court interscholastic competition teams.

From 1992-2008, the Wichita law firm of Martin, Pringle, Oliver, Wallace and Bauer sponsored Moot Court members to compete in the Dean Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition held at Brooklyn Law School. The firm underwrote the expenses related to the competition and also provided scholarship awards.

The purpose of the Martin, Pringle Awards was to develop and recognize excellence in the area of appellate advocacy. Each recipient's name is engraved on a plaque which is permanently on display at the law school.