This course will offer students the chance to simulate oral argument and decision-making in the United States Supreme Court with cases that are pending before the Court during the current term. The class will have eleven students. In any given week, there will be two student Advocates appearing before the Court, one student Chief Justice, and eight student Associate Justices. Each week, students will rotate positions to be: (1) Chief Justice one time; (2) Petitioner’s counsel one time; (3) Respondent’s counsel one time; and (4) Associate Justice eight times. Each class will revolve around a single current case before the Court and will include one hour of oral argument, one hour of judicial conference, when the student Justices discuss and decide the case, and 30 minutes of lecture on the constitutional, statutory, and/or administrative principles that were at issue. The particular cases chosen for the semester will depend on the current term but will focus largely on constitutional cases and other controversies of high significance. The instructors will encourage respect, candor, collegiality, and robust discussions and engagement during each class. The instructors would like to specifically convey and emphasize that students who have moot court experience, and students who have never participated in any form of mock argument, are equally encouraged to enroll. We look forward to creating a welcoming environment where we may all learn together and grow as advocates.
