Intramural Competitions

Pitt Law’s student-run Moot Court Board administers three competitions each year.

Appellate Competition

The Appellate Competition takes place in the fall semester and is open to all second- and third-years. Teams of two students write an appellate brief and then orally argue the case. The competition is run in conjunction with the Federal Appellate Advocacy class. Students who take the class are automatically registered for and compete in the competition. However, students who do not take Federal Appellate Advocacy are also permitted to compete. Information about registration is publicized early in the fall semester. The first-place and runner-up teams receive cash prizes.

Ronald D. Ecker Memorial Negotiation and Client Counseling Competition

This competition is named in honor of Pitt Law alumnus Ronald D. Ecker (JD '56), who strongly emphasized excellent client counseling as he practiced law in Pittsburgh. The competition takes place early in the spring semester. It is the only competition in which first-year students are allowed to participate. Students compete in teams of three, with two students as advocates and one playing the role of the client. During a meeting in front of a competition judge, opposing teams implement their respective negotiation strategies and counsel their clients about strategies and outcomes. The first-place and runner-up teams receive cash prizes funded by the Ronald D. Ecker endowment. For more on the Ecker family legacy, and their generous support of Pitt Law’s client counseling learning opportunities, please click here.
 

Murray S. Love Trial Moot Court Competition

The Murray S. Love Competition takes place in the spring semester and is open to all second- and third-years. Students compete in teams of two, delivering opening statements and closing statements, and conducting direct examination and cross examination of witnesses (including making evidentiary objections) in a mock case. The first-place and runner-up teams receive cash prizes.