The annual Moot Court competition is back with its callout on Wednesday, October 5. The competition provides students interested in the law, public speaking and politics a chance to be lawyers and argue a case in a mock court before a panel of professors, alumni lawyers and judges. But the competition is not limited to those interested in law; Moot Court is open–and indeed, won–by students of all class years, majors, and backgrounds.
This year, participating students will argue a case on the issue of birthright citizenship for the Americans born in U.S. territories and the role of Congress and the courts in deciding that issue. In previous years, students have argued cases regarding gun rights, the death penalty and voting rights. The competition is made up of three rounds. On Saturday, October 22, students will participate in the first two rounds which decide who goes on to the semifinal held on Monday, October 24. 12 students advance to the semifinals and compete for the four spots in the public final held on October 26. Moot Court challenges students’ abilities to memorize facts, make arguments and speak in public. And while Moot Court is focused on the law, anyone of any discipline can participate and succeed. Students that have gone on to medical school and graduate school of all kinds have done just as well as students who went on to law school.
In addition, students of any class year have a chance to place well or win. Two of the last five winners have been freshmen and first-year participants have worked their way to the semifinals and finals recently.
Many current and former editors of the Bachelor have participated and can testify that, while the work for Moot Court can be overwhelming, this competition is one of the greatest rushes of adrenaline one can find at Wabash. In order to succeed, one must commit to studying the problem, but the feeling of accomplishment more than makes up for the time sacrificed for it.The Moot Court callout is next Wednesday, October 5 at 12:15 p.m. in Baxter Hall 101. Professors Scott Himsel and Jeff Drury invite anyone interested in participating to attend and learn more about this year’s problem and the competition before deciding to participate.