Appellate Lawyers Association National Moot Court Competition: Nov. 6–7, 2009
The Competition
The Appellate Lawyers Association will be sponsoring its annual moot court competition on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, and Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Chicago.
ALA members act as judges for one of the only Midwest competitions held at every level in working courtrooms. The preliminary round is traditionally argued in the Chicago Daley Center circuit court courtrooms. Past judges for the final round include Judge Diane Wood, Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr., Justice Anne Burke, Justice Mary Jane Theis, Justice William E. Holdridge, Justice Robert Cook, Justice Sue Myerscough, and Justice Susan F. Hutchinson.
Each year the association expands the competition, and 2009 is no exception. The competition is going national, with over 60 schools being invited to send multiple teams. Recent participating schools include Northern Illinois University, John Marshall Law School, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Loyola University, University of Illinois and Valparaiso University.
The ALA does not charge an entry fee for participating in the competition. In order to limit the number of teams to 16, all registrations need to be submitted no later than Aug. 31, 2009.
Awards
Not only does the Appellate Lawyers Association Moot Court Competition provide students with industry contacts as they venture into an unstable economy, but winners of the competition will receive a financial prize.
- The winning team will receive a monetary scholarship of at least $500.
- The Best Brief and Best Oral Argument will each receive a monetary scholarship of at least $250.
2009 Moot Court Question
In keeping with the ALA’s attempt to formulate moot court problems that are “ripped from the headlines,” this year’s problem raises issues resulting from allegedly wrongful communications posted on social network sites. This year’s problem will focus on whether a user may be brought to justice for posting such communications and whether a legal cause of action exists for which the complaining party may be granted relief.
Testimonial
The ALA’s “attention to detail is ... in part because this competition is run by experienced appellate advocates. This had an impact not only on the quality of the problem, but on the quality of the competition as whole. The members of the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association asked excellent, realistic questions in the preliminary rounds. In the final round, the judges from the Illinois Appellate Court were well-prepared and asked incisive questions.”—Moot Court Faculty Advisor
2008 Highlights
The 2008 competition winners were the team of Erica Cortez and Craig Stern, from Chicago-Kent College of Law. They won the overall competition and award for best brief. Craig Stern won for best oral argument.
Registration
Schools interested in competing in the 2009 ALA National Moot Court Competition should complete the registration form and return it to:
David Allen, Moot Court Committee Chairman, at dallen@stellatoschwartz.com or fax to (847) 885-8393. The registration deadline is Aug. 31, 2009.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Appellate Lawyers Association is offering law firms a chance to receive national recognition through its 2009 Moot Court Competition. Sponsoring the moot court competition will not only offer firms recognition in the law community, but will provide the opportunity to network with active judges in the appellate courts through its sponsorship events.
Past competitions have included statewide law schools. The 2009 competition has gone national, providing firms with greater recognition to participating schools. Connecting with students at these schools will provide firms an inside advantage to recruit some of the most promising young professionals in the industry.
Sponsorship Benefits
Bronze Sponsorship: $250
- Oral Acknowledgement at ALA Luncheon
- ALA President will acknowledge sponsors during the luncheon preceding the competition.
- Firm Name Included in Law Bulletin Ad
- Firm name will be listed in an ad run the week of the competition.
Silver Sponsorship: $500
Bronze benefits plus:
- Firm Name on ALA Web Site Sponsorship Page
- Firm name and brief bio will be included on ALA Moot Court web page for one year.
- Firm Name in Moot Court Competitor’s Guide (The Guide is distributed to all Moot Court competitors and includes the names and contact information of sponsors, judges, and committee members.)
Gold Sponsorship: $750
Silver Benefits plus:
- ALA Website Banner Ad
- Firm ad will be posted on the ALA web site home page for two weeks.
Vendor Package
Firm will receive five vendor packages with special deals on over 10 area vendors, such as Franklin Covey, Jos. A. Bank, 312 Chicago, and more.
Platinum Sponsorship: $1000
Gold Benefits Plus:
- Host the Moot Court Wine and Cheese Reception (Wine and Cheese Reception on November 6, 2009 will be held at firm’s office providing an opportunity to network. With competition judges, competitors, their supporters, ALA President, ALA Executive Board Members, and Moot Court Committee members.)
Previous Competitions
Peruse pages from the 2008 moot court, the 2007 spring moot court, the 2006 moot court, and the 2005 moot court.
Contact Us
Appellate Lawyers Association
1901 N. Roselle Road, #920
Schaumburg, IL 60195
P: (847) 885-2410
F: (847) 885-8393