Since 2002, the moot court program at Cal State Long Beach has brought its student participants to challenging moments of self-discovery, debating all the way.
Offered through the political science department, moot court is the simulation of appellate arguments, where pairs of participants argue a hypothetical legal case known as the “competition case” in front of panels of judges. Participants are judged on their knowledge of the case presented, their responses to the judges’ questions, forensic skills and demeanor.
However, according to moot court program director and political science lecturer Lewis Ringel, textbook knowledge of the case isn’t everything.
“You can see that three out of those four have nothing to do with knowledge of the case. They’re presentation,” Ringel said. Much of moot court, Ringel said, is students “ability to make a convincing presentation … You have to show proper respect for the court and the judges.”
This includes not interrupting judges, not appearing hostile to judges’ questioning and dressing professionally.
Consequently, students who have participated in the program said their public speaking skills have improved dramatically.
“Through [moot court], I have gained more confidence and am better able to express myself,” said moot court participant Kristin Hallak, a junior political science and psychology major.
“Competition is scary at first, and as you walk up to the podium you are very aware that everyone is staring at you, waiting to see what you’re made of. And then you speak, and it’s such a rush.”
Shelia Soroushian, a senior biochemistry major, said, “For me, the greatest benefit of moot court is the repeated testing of every public speaking nerve in my body. I still get nervous when I have to speak in public, but I know that as long as I am prepared with the patented ‘roadmap,’ nothing can shake me – nothing will ever be ‘as bad’ as moot court.”
In addition to improved public speaking, Ringel also said moot court helps students network. At competitions, students have the chance to meet people from all around the country, including real judges, attorney generals and law school deans. This year, CSULB moot court participants had the chance to meet former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.
“You’re meeting a lot of people, who, professionally, might come in handy to have met later on,” Ringel said. “It’s also good training for what law school networking is like because one of the most important things about law school is that alumni element. Alumni tend to help each other out a lot.”
But on another level, through the constant practice and difficulties of moot court, its participants have become friends for life and supportive of each other.
Michaelyn Thomas, a senior political science major who advanced to the moot court national competition in Virginia, said, “Everyone in the moot court class was very, very helpful in preparing myself, and the rest of the Long Beach students who went. It was extra helpful because everyone was very supportive and willing to take their personal time, even over winter break, to help make myself and the others ready.”
Hallak, who also went to nationals, said, “Going to Virginia for nationals was great, and we had so much fun being there. It was a great bonding experience for those of us that competed in nationals, and the actual competition was amazing. In preparation for competition, I think we all did a lot of talking to ourselves, going over and over our arguments.”
Moot court participants enroll in POSC 417, a class its participants described as difficult and with “frontloaded” work, with most of it coming in the beginning in the semester.
“Students who do apply should be aware this is a lot of a work. People who are not interested in doing a lot of work shouldn’t take the class,” Ringel said.
Ringel also said law school is not the only reason people should participate in moot court and that “there’s a lot of self-awareness that you can do this kind of thing that studies have consistently found people benefit from.”
Of the differences of the moot court classroom experience, Ringel said, “A lot of classes you learn the stuff, but it’s stuff you just learn on a page. [In moot court] you actually use it. And that, for a lot of students, I think is enjoyable…One of the things that sets this class aside from just about any other is that you actually apply what you learn.”
Criterion for acceptance includes prior experience in forensics or mock trial, communication and law classes taken and academic references. However, Ringel said that students without prior experience should not be discouraged from applying. Interested students should contact Ringel, fill out an application (available at the political science department Web site), or attend the moot court informational meeting from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on March 5 in Social Science and Public Affairs Building, Room 212.