Course Section | Columbia Law School

Section Description Provided by Instructor

This course is closed to LL.M.s.

As part of the requirement for the Legal Practice Workshop, each student is required to write an appellate brief and argue the case orally. The briefs are written under the supervision of upperclass Student Editors who have designed appellate problems involving two legal issues. Each Editor is assigned to work with approximately eight to ten students.

Students are assigned to an Editor and represent either the appellant or the appellee in the Editor's problem. The students work individually or in pairs, with each partner taking one of the legal issues. Students analyze the Record, develop case theories and strategies, discuss the issues with their assigned Editor and with other students who are working on the same problem, conduct legal research, and draft the briefs. Each draft is carefully reviewed and critiqued by the Student Editor, and students are given extensive feedback. Students are also given an opportunity to practice oral arguments with their Legal Practice Workshop instructor.

After Spring Break students argue their cases before a panel of alumni lawyers and third-year students, who act as judges. The Student Editor is also present. At the conclusion of the argument, the judges critique the students' performances.

The Foundation Moot Court requirement may also be met by satisfactory participation in an equivalent intermural moot court competition, upon prior approval of the Faculty Director of the Moot Court Program.