Learning Through Action
Students compete in moot court competitions to develop skills in appellate brief writing and oral argument, and gain valuable trial practice experience. The Dean's Fund and endowments provide financial assistance to support student participation in these competitions. Colorado Law teams have consistently been extremely competitive in their competitions. Students may earn academic credit for their participation. Selection of teams varies by competition and from year to year, depending on student interest. The competition program is managed by a select group of students comprising the Barristers' Council and is overseen by the Director of Experiential Learning.Ìý Barristers' Council selects competitions, provides opportunities for various specialty legal interests and providesÌýinterested 3Ls leadership opportunities.Ìý
Students seeking credit for participation in external mock trial competitions are required to prepare for such competition by completing law school courses in Evidence (three hours) and Trial Advocacy (two hours). Completion of Intersession Trial Advocacy satisfies the second requirement, as does completion of any other law school course called Trial Advocacy. Completion of the five-hour course Evidence and Trial Practice satisfies both requirements.
CourtCall Law School Awards
We are pleased to announce that Kaitlin DeWulf ('21) andÌýAshlie Hancock ('21)Ìýhave been selected as the 2020-2021ÌýCourtCall Law School award winners. Each year, CourtCall presents two (2) third-year students an award of $250 each for excellence in advocacy.ÌýThe student recipients were selected based upon their record of success in mock trial or moot court competitions and their overall contribution to Colorado Law’s Mock Trial or Moot Court teams.Ìý
Colorado Law Internal Competitions
The Carrigan Cup Student Trial Competition is the law school's most prestigious in-house competition for aspiring litigators. Each Fall, four accomplished upper level students perform an entire trial in our own Wittemyer Courtroom before a panel of distinguished trial judges and trial lawyers. The Carrigan Cup endowment was established by family and friends in honor of judge and former faculty member Jim R. Carrigan, and is attended by members of the Colorado legal community to honor Judge Carrigan and his family as well as the student competitors. In accordance with the Law School Rules, upper level students who successfully prepare for and compete in this competition can potentialy earn 1 academic credit in the Fall,Ìýand the finalistsÌýwill be awarded scholarship money.Ìý
The Rothgerber Moot Court Competition is Colorado Law's premier internal appellate advocacy challenge. Each Spring, four accomplished upper level studentsÌýcompete for honor and prizes in this traditional capstone event that showcases their talent. The competition is typically judged by distinguished members of the federal and state appellate bench. This Colorado Law competition is sponsored by the late Ira C. Rothgerber Jr., in memory of his father, Judge Ira C. Rothgerber. In accordance with the Law School Rules, upper level students who successfully prepare for and compete in this competition can potentialy earn 1 academic credit in the Spring,Ìýand the finalistsÌýwill be awarded scholarship money.Ìý
The Purvis Gray ThomsonÌý1LÌýCompetition is Colorado Law's first opportunity for aspiring litigators to participate in a mock trial competition. Taking place each Spring, the finals are judged by local District and County Court judges, leading trial lawyers, prosecutors, or public defenders. While this competition does NOT award academic credit, the finalists will be awarded scholarship money and the top ten teams from the competition advance to compete in the CU/DU Competition.
Colorado Law students who participate in the intraschool transactional competition will hone their transactional, client advocacy, and negotiation skills. For students interested in legal practice outside of the traditional courtroom setting, this competition serves as an immersive first step.Ìý
The Breanna Boss Memorial Internal Moot Court Competition is Colorado Law’s internal try-outs for the national moot court team and Barristers’ Counsel. This competitionÌýtakes place each Fall and is run by upper class moot court leaders. In accordance with the Law School Rules, upper level students who successfully prepare for and compete in this competition can potentialy earn 1 academic credit in the Fall semester.ÌýThe top students join the moot court board as members of the Barristers’ Council. The competition is named in loving memory ofÌýBreanna Boss, a terrifc member of our Moot Court Board,Ìýwho tragically passed away in September 2020.Ìý
The CU-DU Hogal Lovells Crosstown Cup is a longstanding student tradition where 1Ls at Colorado Law and our friends atÌýDenver Law face off for fun and glory. This Spring competition is held alternating years in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ and Denver.
Transactional and Non-Traditional Try-Outs:Ìý Competitions are not just for litigators at Colorado Law.Ìý Students interested in transactional law compete internally to represent Colorado LawÌýon Barristers’ Council and in various competitions that involve business law, negotiations, client counseling and/or other non-litigation legal fields.
State and National Competitions
Please see below for someÌýof the Moot Court & Mock Trial Competitions that Colorado Law students have participated in over the years.
The (NAAC) is a moot court competition that emphasizes the development of oral advocacy skills through a realistic appellate advocacy experience. Moot court competitors participate in a hypothetical appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The competition involves writing a brief as either respondent or petitioner and then arguing the case in front of the mock court.
