Moot Court Program

SIU Simmons Law School is highly regarded for our excellent moot court and trial advocacy programs. All first-year students participate in an oral advocacy intra-school competition as part of their Lawyering Skills class. Second and third-year students can compete nationally as either members of the Moot Court Board or the SIU Trial Advocacy Registered Student Organization.

First Year Lawyering Skills Appellate Advocacy

During the first year of law school, as part of the Lawyering Skills course, all students write an appellate brief and make an oral argument before a panel of judges that includes trial judges and attorneys.

Appellate Advocacy

After the first year, students may compete for selection to the SIU Simmons Law Moot Court Board. Moot Court Board members participate in mock Supreme Court arguments by writing briefs and making oral arguments before panels of attorneys and judges. To become members of the Moot Court Board, students first participate in a multi-round Intramural Moot Court Competition during the fall of their second year. Of these students, several are selected to represent the school in national moot court competitions, beginning in the spring of their second year and continuing into their third year. Southern Illinois’ success in national competitions is notable.

Trial Advocacy

Students interested in trial rather than appellate argument may try out in their second year for membership in the Trial Advocacy Division of the Moot Court Board. Students are selected after an intramural tryout, and compete in their third year after completion of courses in evidence and trial advocacy.

National Health Law Moot Court Competition

Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School hosts the National Health Law Moot Court Competition, along with supporting sponsors the American College of Legal Medicine and the American Health Law Association. The Competition is held annually at Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School in Carbondale. The two-day event is one of the premier moot court experiences in the nation and attracts teams representing law schools from throughout the country.

Professional Portrait of Jenna Zumbahlen
Chief Justice
Jenna Zumbahlen