Moot Court is a traditional law school activity, where students get the chance to argue in a simulated appellate court environment. Students act as appellate counsel and present oral arguments on a specific issue. They argue before a panel of mock judges who challenge student competitors with questions during the oral presentations. In a typical moot court competition, the judges score each studen
t on his or her oral skills, style, and soundness of argument. Some moot court competitions also have a brief writing component, which will contribute to the overall competition score. The Hofstra Moot Court Board is a student-run organization dedicated to the development of Hofstra Law students’ oral and written advocacy skills. The Board hosts one intramural competition each spring, where students have an opportunity to practice their appellate advocacy skills and compete for membership on the Board. Board members provide training and host practice rounds before the actual competition. The competition is then judged by current members. Faculty members and guest practitioners judge the final round. The Board also seeks to promote students’ advocacy skills by hosting advocacy workshops and providing students with an opportunity to research and write their own moot court appellate problems. Why Participate in Moot Court? Moot Court is a fun and enriching experience. It gives students a chance to dissect a real legal issue, formulate a strategy and argument, and present that argument to judges in a lively exchange. Best of all, it allows students to do this in a stress-free environment, where no client’s case is on the line, and mistakes are simply an opportunity to learn and improve. Specifically, moot court benefits students in several important ways:
Oral Advocacy Skills – Oral advocacy is an art. It requires an advocate to master the difficult task of marrying logic and reason with passion and emotion. It also necessitates the ability to think quickly while being peppered with questions form the judges. The training and practice you receive in moot court competitions helps you to become comfortable making arguments in a persuasive manner while under fire. The skill translates into all aspects of lawyering, whether your audience is an interviewer, a colleague, an employer, an adversary, or a judge. Communication Skills – Employers look for students who are capable of interacting with people in a variety of settings. Moot court gives students the chance to develop speaking and advocacy skills. It also gives students the confidence they need to put their best foot forward in interviews, networking events, and, eventually in practice. Even if you never intend on entering a courtroom, the communicative skills and confidence moot court instills will serve you well in any interview or workplace setting. Writing Skills – Moot court provides interested students with the opportunity to research and write their own moot court appellate problems. The experience provides invaluable research and writing skills. Prestige – When employers see moot court experience on a resume, they know they are getting someone who has developed his or her writing and oral skills at a high level. Better Grades – Moot court will help you better understand issues in every class you take going forward. It will make you more comfortable discussing issues in class, as well as more impressive when making presentations. Moot Court Competitions – Hofstra sponsors several moot court competition teams, which compete in various competitions on a local, national, and international level. Participating in moot court will help hone your skills for these team try-outs, and also for the team competitions. This past year, Hofstra Moot Court Board members were incredibly successful at these various competitions.
2021-2022 Executive Board Masthead
President/Editor-in-Chief: Stacie Nadel
Vice President: Peter Wilms
Managing Editor: Aaron Rhodebeck
Director of Competitions: Elisabeth Palmieri
Director of Staff Affairs: Jaime DeFilippis
Director of Alumni Affairs: Kiran Ahmad
Director of Business Affairs: Janine Santorelli
Associate Editors: Theresa Kelley, Sasha Pezenik, Inna Mankevych, Jesslyn Bracco
