If you are an experiential learner, want to develop on-your-feet-lawyering skills, and value teamwork and mentorship, competitions could be a great fit for you.
Mock Trial
What is it? Students work in teams to try a case, competing against other law schools. You will learn how to prepare a trial strategy, deliver arguments to a jury, and question witnesses.
Ok, but... what’s it like? The courtroom scenes in Law & Order.
Where do we go? Pitt Law has recently competed in: National Trial Advocacy Competition (Detroit), Case Classic (Cleveland), Texas Young Lawyers Association (Philadelphia), and Gourley Cup (Pittsburgh).
1L action items: To get a flavor for a mock trial, attend Pitt Law’s intramural competition, the Murray S. Love Mock Trial, in March 2025. Watch for announcements about 2025-26 mock trial tryouts at the end of your 1L spring semester.
Moot Court
What is it? Student teams work to litigate an appeal, competing against other law schools. You will learn how to draft a persuasive appeal brief and argue complex legal issues before a panel of judges.
Ok, but... what’s it like? Any movie scene where a case is argued before the Supreme Court. But picture three judges instead of nine.
Where do we go? Pitt Law has recently competed in: National Moot Court (Baltimore and NYC), Cardozo-FAME Center Intellectual Property Moot Court (NYC), Giles Sutherland Rich Patent Law Moot Court (Boston and DC), and National Tax Moot Court (St. Petersburg, FL).
1L action items: To get a flavor for moot court, attend Pitt Law’s intramural Appellate Competition final on November 13, 2024. Watch for announcements about moot court opportunities starting at the beginning of your 2L fall semester.
Transactional Competitions
What is it? Students work in teams to advise a client or arbitrate a dispute.
Ok, but... what’s it like? Depends on the competition! It could look like any setting where a lawyer is helping a client outside of a courtroom.
Where do we go? Pitt Law has recently competed in: National Health Law Transactional Competition (Chicago), Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vienna, Austria), and LLM International Arbitration Moot (DC).
1L action items: Connect with the Health Law Program or Center for International Legal Education. Consider registering for the intramural Ronald D. Ecker Memorial Negotiation and Client Counseling Competition in February 2025—the only intramural competition open to 1Ls.