The Temple Moot Court Competition Team is a faculty directed organization of outstanding law students devoted to excellence in written and oral advocacy. Unlike programs at other law schools, where appellate advocacy teams are student-run, the Moot Court program at Temple has faculty with appellate advocacy expertise at the helm, as well as highly experienced appellate advocates as coaches.
Moot Court members are selected after the first year of law school to participate in a second-year appellate advocacy course during the fall semester. That course culminates in participation in the prestigious I. Herman Stern Moot Court Competition, for which students write briefs and then engage in oral arguments. A panel of federal and state judges presides over the final round of the competition. Success in the appellate advocacy course and in the Stern competition determines active membership on the competition team as an oral advocate, a writing advocate, or both. During the spring semester, new members participate in an inter-scholastic appellate competition developed by Temple, involving area law school students. Moot Court Competition Team members also attend special lectures on appellate advocacy.
During the second year of membership on the Moot Court Competition Team, students participate in at least one of the many moot court competitions offered throughout the country. They also assist in the administration of the Stern Competition, and attend lectures on appellate advocacy given by professors and guest speakers. Third-year students who complete all Moot Court obligations earn two ungraded credits.
Faculty Advisors
Marian Grace Braccia
Director of the LL.M. in Trial Advocacy Program, Practice Professor of Law