2008 analysis

2008 winners news release

2008 advance news release

2007 winners, analysis

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — the cornerstone of American democracy — is the focus of the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition. Recognized as one of the nation's finest constitutional law competitions, this annual event features a current First Amendment controversy.

During the two-day competition, each team will participate in a minimum of four rounds, arguing a hypothetical based on a current First Amendment controversy before panels of accomplished jurists, legal scholars and attorneys.

Past participants in the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition have represented law schools nationwide, from Brooklyn Law School to Duke University to Arizona State to Harvard.

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2009 Competition Information

Oral argument scoring sheet	Oral argument scoring guidelines
Intent-to-Compete Form	Invitation to compete

When

The Moot Court Competition is Thursday and Friday, Feb. 19-20, 2009.

IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES:

Jan. 18, 2009: Deadline to reserve discounted rooms at Embassy Suites.

Jan. 21: Briefs and Team Information Sheet due.

Jan. 22: Competitors’ briefs will be posted on the competition Web site.

Feb. 2: Team Travel Information Form must be postmarked no later than this date.

Thursday and Friday, Feb. 19-20, 2009: Dates of the 2009 National First Amendment Moot Court Competition.

Who

The competition is open to 32 two-member teams (2nd- and 3rd-year students only) from ABA-accredited law schools. If the competition is oversubscribed, admission will be based on the quality of the team and the school's commitment to the competition. To assist in making these determinations, please submit team-member resumes (if available) and any other information (e.g., team-selection process) that would suggest a serious commitment to a high level of performance in the competition. All application materials must be submitted by Oct. 10, 2008. Entrants will be notified by e-mail on Oct. 31 regarding their competition status. Fees will be refunded to teams not chosen for the competition.

Cost

$250.

What

The competition consists of four preliminary rounds, quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship round. Five thousand dollars will be awarded to the winning teams' schools: Winner ($2,000), Runner-up ($1,000), Semifinalists ($500 each), Best Brief ($500) and Best Oralist ($500).

Where

The competition will take place on Vanderbilt University's campus and at the First Amendment Center, also on the campus.

Travel & Accommodations

The National First Amendment Moot Court Competition has procured a block of rooms for all competitors at the Embassy Suites, within walking distance of the Vanderbilt campus.

For more information, call Embassy Suites at 615/320-8899 or use this reservation link before Jan. 18, 2009. After that date, all reservation requests will be accepted on a space- and rate-available basis. Competitors must clearly identify that they are a part of the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition to receive a discounted room rate.

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Questions

If you have further questions, contact the Vanderbilt Moot Court Board at 615/727-1345 or by e-mail: mootcourt@fac.org.

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The Problem

To be determined.

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History

Past participants in the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition have represented law schools nationwide, from Brooklyn Law School to Duke University to Arizona State to Harvard.

2008	Winner	Competition problem		2007	Winner	Competition problem
2006	Winner	Competition problem		2005	Winner	Competition problem
2004	Winner	Competition problem	Best brief

Note: Licensing of competition problems

The copyright for the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition problem is the property of the Vanderbilt University Law School Moot Court Board. Any unauthorized use of a competition hypothetical is prohibited by law. For licensing of the competition problems, please contact the Vanderbilt Moot Court Board or Tiffany Villager at mootcourt@fac.org.

Panels of state and federal judges will hear semifinal and final-round arguments, while more than 200 attorneys, judges and law professors will serve as early-round judges. Below are a few of the judges from past years and their comments on the competition and competitors.

"In the Supreme Court we see advocates all the time looking at the clock, perhaps looking for some relief. Your [the competitors] performances are a hopeful sign for future advocacy." The Hon. Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Supreme Court Justice

"I have sat on moot courts of all kinds across the country, and the First Amendment Center/Vanderbilt competition is consistently the most interesting and professionally organized of all." The Hon. Gilbert S. Merritt Circuit Judge, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

"There are many moot court competitions, but this one makes a unique contribution to the study of law and to the public consciousness of what is important about law. The First Amendment is and should be first. It is the cornerstone of all our liberties and, together with the Legislative Article, the most important part of the Constitution. I applaud the efforts of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University in putting together this competition. It has been a pleasure to participate in it." The Hon. Richard S. Arnold Circuit Judge, 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (Judge Arnold died on Sept. 23, 2004.)

"In this First Amendment Moot Court Competition the issues are intellectually stimulating and the students demonstrate exceptional advocacy skills. The competition provides an excellent source of debate and discussion of the critical importance of the First Amendment to our society." The Hon. William J. Haynes, Jr. District Judge, U.S. Middle District of Tennessee

"Each year, students from a growing number of schools are fortunate to participate in one of the country's premiere competitions. And the judges are equally fortunate-the quality of the advocacy and the degree of intellectual stimulation are simply first rate." The Hon. Martha Craig Daughtrey Circuit Judge, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
— First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.