Moot Court

Moot Court

The SHSU Moot Court Team offers SHSU pre-law students the opportunity to develop critical-thinking skills, public speaking skills, and gain experience in the courtroom.  Moot Court involves simulating an appeals case hearing in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, beginning with students learning the facts of the case, developing legal arguments based on the U.S. Constitution and legal precedents, and making their oral arguments before a panel of jurists. Students compete in teams of two.

The moot court experience is one of many law-related and civic engagement activities offered by the LEAP Center.

Timeline:

Late Spring: Students interested in Moot Court should contact the team's coach, Professor Mike Yawn (see below). 

Summer: Professor Yawn teaches his POLS 4081 class, "How to Win in the Courtroom", where top students may be invited to participate in Moot Court. 

Late Summer: For students who did not take Professor Yawn's class, they can try out for the Moot Court Team in August.

Early Fall: Training, weekly meetings, and practice for moot court begins. Informal Scrimmages will be held.

October/November: Formal Moot Court Invitational Tournament and Regional Invitational.

Costs:

The LEAP Center charges nothing to students for participation in the Moot Court team. Students are, however, expected to have a nice dark suit for competition.  In some cases, students may be asked to incur meal costs on trips.  Students who drop out of the Moot Court program prior to competition may be asked to reimburse the LEAP Center for any costs incurred by the Center on the student's behalf.

Contact:

Moot Court Team Coach: Professor Mike Yawn (mike.yawn@shsu.edu)