The Younger Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association would like to invite you to participate as a judge during the 2021 Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition being held virtually March 8-12, 2021. Law schools from across the country send student representatives to this prestigious event. It is with help of dedicated volunteers like you that the competition continues to be a success.
Judges are most needed for the following dates/times:
Wednesday, March 10
12:45 – 2:00pm, 2:30 – 3:45pm
*Please submit for any/all time slots you are interested in, even if not listed above. Your participation will be either confirmed or noted as on the waitlist.
Below are some Frequently Asked Questions about volunteering as a Moot Court judge:
Do I qualify to serve as a Moot Court judge?
If you are a retired or practicing attorney or judge, you can be a Moot Court judge.
What is the role of a Moot Court judge?
A Moot Court judge scores the competitors’ oral advocacy skills.
Do I have to judge alone?
No, two other judges will serve alongside you.
What sort of advance research do I need to do?
The Moot Court problem and “bench memo,” which explain the legal issues in detail, will be sent to you before the competition. We ask that you review these documents before the competition. No additional research is needed.
Will there be any training for Moot Court judges?
Yes, an informational training will be held on Monday, March 8, 2021 to familiarize you with the rules of the competition, use of the online (Zoom) platform, and methods of scoring.
When are volunteer judges needed?
The largest number of judges are needed for the preliminary rounds of the competition to be held on Tuesday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 10. Volunteers slots are also available on Thursday, March 11. The full schedule is posted on the Judge Sign-up Portal. Please note that all times listed for the competition are in (EST) and subject to change.
Can I watch the final round of the competition?
Absolutely! Judges are invited to observe the final round of the Moot Court competition and attend the accompanying awards presentation.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Volunteer Judges can sign up through the Judge Sign-up Portal. It is strongly encouraged and requested that all volunteer judges sign up for a minimum of two volunteer slots – but not required. If able to volunteer for multiple slots, they do not have to occur on the same day.
[Volunteer Now!]
Thank you for your consideration,
Amy Boyle, Ben Barnes, and Benjamin Reese
2021 Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition Directors