Law School Myth Busters: Moot Court Board

Denise Turner
Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Myth: The Moot Court Board is the end-all be-all of skills boards.

"Billbo, listen up.  Grades are the only thing that matter, other than journals and moot court-and I'm on both-if you can't do that maybe God wants you to work at a small firm. Or in the Midwest."  Aside from the Midwest crack, what the Arrogant Dean's Fellow was saying in this line from this year's Law Revue show is that grades, journal and moot court are the only things that matter in law school.  This line of thinking wasn't just a random stroke of genius by one of the Law Revue writers; it's another one of those popular law school myths.  This week, the focus is on moot court.  Is it really the end-all be-all of skills boards?

In case you've been living under a rock, GW has three skills boards: Mock Trial, Moot Court, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).  All three boards seek to enhance lawyering skills by giving students the opportunity to participate in simulated versions of trials, oral arguments and whatever ADR involves.  GW students have participated in internal and external competitions on all three boards and have excelled.  So what makes moot court so special?  Ok, there is the slight chance that you'll be one of four finalists out of 200 competitors that make it to the final round and get the opportunity to be hammered with questions by a Supreme Court Justice.  And many employers do recognize the title "Moot Court" on a resume, but does that really mean that being on the Moot Court Board is all you need in law school? Is it really the difference-maker when it comes to job interviews and internships?

Not to get too newsy with this, but let's check out some statistics.  First off, GW Law has about 2,000 students enrolled.  Of those 2,000 students, 125 are on the Moot Court Board.  That's like 7%.  7% of the student body is on the Moot Court Board.  Additionally, for the class of 2007, the CDO boasts that 99% of graduates found a job in some area.  So, assuming that the 2007 numbers were similar to the 2009 numbers mentioned above, even though only 7% of the student body was on Moot Court, 99% of them (including the 93% of students who were non-mooters) got jobs.  But think about it, in this economy, it's tough for everyone, mooters and non-mooters alike to find a job.  And if that doesn't convince you, think about this: only 8 of the top 20 law schools even have a Moot Court Board.  True story.

As much fun as writing 30-page briefs is and staying at school until 10pm on a Saturday night, being beaten up by judges with never-ending questions with no right answer can be, being on Moot Court isn't everything.  It may help you get an extra interview during FRP, but in the end, there really is no magical skills board resume line that will instantly land you a job.  Yes, moot court competitions can be fun and exciting for some, but being on the Moot Court Board isn't all there is to law school.  And it's definitely not the only worthwhile skills board out there.  This myth is:

Comments

So we do the best we can, and

So we do the best we can, and I'm immensely grateful that my wife (the "other" Professor Schooner) is willing to pick up that much more than her "fair share" of the slack when necessary." Online Education | Life Experience Degree | online degree | accredited degree | almeda university

Submitted by fordglen on Thu, 04/03/2010 - 22:02.

Ok, there is the slight

Ok, there is the slight chance that you'll be one of four finalists out of 200 competitors that make it to the final round and get the opportunity to be hammered with questions by a Supreme Court Justice.
Kicker subwoofer

Submitted by deff_lepp on Fri, 05/03/2010 - 05:23.

Have to agree - just like in

Have to agree - just like in almost all areas of life, there is more than one way to skin a cat. In fact, you often have to use all of the ways you know just to skin the first cat. Moot Court only tests a couple of the skills that corporate lawyers use every day. The rewards come for those who think fast under pressure and are articulate. However, the client contact side of law and the research side of law are equally important. I agree with busting the myth ... I'm just surprised that it was widespread enough to become a myth in the first place!

Submitted by Roger Henderson on Fri, 30/10/2009 - 15:01.

I doubt just having moot

I doubt just having moot court on a resume would help you in anyway. I think if you work some civil procedure through a firm as an intern or other work helps just as much.

Submitted by mikese on Mon, 22/06/2009 - 07:08.

Attitude Adjustment on ADR

RE: "All three boards seek to enhance lawyering skills by giving students the opportunity to participate in simulated versions of trials, oral arguments and whatever ADR involves."

I realize that this type of glib humor is about 51% of Nota Bene's charm, and that no offense was intended. Next time, check out www.law.gwu.edu/stdg/adr. This time, please allow me to fill you in:

  1. ADR specializes in all forms of extra-legal conflict resolution: mediation, negotiation, arbitration and client counseling.
  2. Few, if any, first-year associates will conduct a trial, let alone face an appellate panel. ALL of those lawyers will employ the ADR skill set on day one (and, if well-trained, every day of their long, successful careers).
  3. Involvement on the ADR Board comes up in every interview and every time, the lawyer's response is "Wow, I wish I'd had something like that when I was in law school."
  4. The implication of your sentence is that ADR is the kid sibling of the Skill Board family. Not so. We put on more events, provide a greater range of opportunities, and bring home more success than either Moot Court or Mock Trial.

Take note, GW Law: Nota Bene says Moot Court isn't all that, but I say, ADR is. Consider it another myth busted.

Submitted by ADRPres on Thu, 02/04/2009 - 08:52.