What is a Supreme Court Institute Moot?
A "moot" is a practice session in which counsel presents oral argument before a panel of "Justices" in preparation for an appearance before the Supreme Court. The Justices offer critiques of the argument as well as general comments to help maximize counsel's opportunity to present an effective, informative oral argument. The moots are designed not only to aid counsel in further refining their arguments, but also to familiarize counsel with the general proceedings of the Court.
Who are the "Justices"?
The Justices for these moot courts are typically from a mix of backgrounds, including members of the Georgetown law faculty with considerable experience arguing before the Court, attorneys with D.C. firms with Supreme Court oral argument experience, recent Supreme Court law clerks (beyond, of course, the two-year time bar), alumni of the Solicitor General’s Office, and, in appropriate cases, current members of the Solicitor General’s Office. The Institute deliberately does not, unless requested by the arguing counsel, regularly include attorneys employed by organizations with a strong ideological interest in the case.
How many moots does the Institute hold each year?
While the number of moots varies from year to year, normally the Institute moots about 90 percent of the cases heard before the Court in a given Term. During the October Term 2008, the Institute provided moot courts in 72 cases, representing over 90 percent of the cases heard by the Supreme Court.
When and where do the moots take place?
The moots are generally scheduled for Wednesday (at 10:00 AM or 3:30 PM), Thursday (at 10:00 AM or 3:30 PM) or Friday (at 10:00 AM or 3:00 PM) one week before the actual oral argument is to be heard by the Court. The moots are held at the law school campus in the Institute's moot court room, which is located in Room 2003 of the Hotung International Law Building. Moot sessions typically run between an hour and a half and two hours.
What is the format of a moot?
The moots are roughly divided into two parts. The first part is formal in character and the second part is an informal discussion. We keep track of the time and notify counsel when time is up, but then allow the formal questioning and answering to proceed until the "Chief Justice" concludes that time would be better spent in the second part of the moot, which is the informal discussion. The formal question/answer session typically last about 45 minutes, but never more than one hour. During the informal discussion that follows, counsel and the Justices have the opportunity to discuss the case, including the relative effectiveness and ineffectiveness of all aspects of counsel's argument. The discussion is simultaneously candid and constructive.
Why should I attend a moot?
Institute Moot Courts offer students a rare chance to “preview” an argument just before it is presented to the United States Supreme Court. Students are given the opportunity to observe firsthand how an argument is crafted, and hear direct critiques from a panel of esteemed Supreme Court practitioners, many from leading DC law firms.
How do I find out about moots?
Click on this link to view a list of scheduled moot courts: Schedule of SCI Moot Courts. Contact the Institute at supct@law.georgetown.edu to request an invitation to any moot court that interests you.
How do I sign up to attend a moot?
Attendance at moots is by invitation only, and student observers are allowed only when counsel has granted permission. Students who have expressed an interest in attending will receive an invitation by email, which will come with a conflict sheet to determine if the student has any conflicts. Students must affirmatively reply that they have no conflicts to attend a moot.
What qualifies as a conflict?
A conflict is any professional or familial connections with the parties to the case, including amicus, or the firms involved in the case. For example, if you worked, are working, or have accepted an offer for summer, school year, or permanent employment at the firm representing the opposing side, you must not attend the moot. If you have any involvement with either side, please notify the Institute so that we may conduct a final screen to determine whether attendance is appropriate.
What should I wear to the moot?
Students may dress in casual attire to attend a moot, although we ask that as a courtesy to counsel and the panel that students dress respectfully.
Am I allowed to comment on the arguments?
Moots are for counsel preparation and as such students are in attendance strictly to observe. However, counsel may, at their own discretion, answer student questions following the moot.
What else should I know before attending a moot?
Moot court proceedings are closed to the public and are STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. It is of the utmost importance that student observers maintain this confidentiality. Your compliance with the confidentiality requirement is essential to the Institute’s continued ability to offer this privilege to students and to the efficacy and candor of the practice arguments. Finally, please arrive on time and remember to completely turn off all cell phones and pagers during the moot (even vibrate is audible). Laptop usage is not permitted during the Institute’s moot court sessions.
What other activities does the Supreme Court Institute sponsor?
In addition to the Moot Court Program, the Supreme Court Institute offers conferences, lectures, workshops, and informal brown-bag discussions on various Court-related matters. These programs, which include both recent decisions and cases pending before the Court, are broadly designed for members of the bar, law alumni, and the general public. In addition, each fall the Institute sponsors two annual briefings on the Court's upcoming Term, one for the news media and one for law school alumni.
