Cornell Undergraduate Moot Court

Cornell’s undergraduate Moot Court team is the foremost competitive constitutional advocacy organization on campus.

Modeled after real Supreme Court oral arguments, Moot Court requires a mind for legal research and the ability to speak persuasively, pushing both skills to the extreme with live, on-the-spot questions by seasoned attorneys and bona fide judges.

Every year, the American Moot Court Association releases a case with constitutional issues, and our team works to create and deliver an effective argument for both sides of the case. Students compete from the regional to the national level, along with hundreds of other schools. Issues span everything from freedom of speech to affirmative action to executive power.

Competitors research months in advance: reading, briefing, and interweaving into their arguments the relevant case law, arriving on the day of competition to vie against dozens of other schools for a shot at the national championship. Judges are allowed to interrupt at any time with any question, and you’re scored on everything from knowledge of the law to the ability to respond quickly and effectively. That structure is how Moot Court uniquely builds presentation, debate, and teamwork skills, while providing an unparalleled network of students and professionals.