Current 1Ls, 2Ls, and incoming transfer students are invited to apply for the position of Moot Court Student Editor for the 2025-2026 academic year. The application will be open on Lawnet from April 22, 2025 to June 2, 2025. Moot Court Student Editors may serve one or multiple semesters. The program consists of the following components, which can be mixed and matched.
(1) Workshop in Briefcraft course (Fall 2025 or Spring 2026)
Some (but not all) moot court student editors enroll in Workshop in Briefcraft, which is offered in the Fall on Wednesdays from 4:20 PM - 6:10 PM and which will also be offered in Spring 2026. In Briefcraft, the students work collaboratively in teams of four to create new moot court problems. Their moot court problems are used in the Spring LPW II class the following semester. Workshop in Briefcraft is a fun, creative, and collaborative way to earn Major Writing Credit. It also builds skills in intensive research, writing, and teamwork. The class is 2 credits and is open by application to both 2L and 3L students. This is the only moot court student editor option that includes major writing credit.
Students who take Briefcraft in the Fall are also expected to serve as teaching fellows for LPW II in the Spring. Students who take Briefcraft in Spring 2026 may (but are not required to) serve as teaching fellows Spring 2027. Students report that it is rewarding to see the problems that they wrote come to life in 1L briefs and oral arguments and that they feel especially prepared to serve as TAs for LPW given their role helping to create the 1L curriculum. One scheduling note: students in Briefcraft typically work on their moot court problems from September to November. Students then return to their projects for final edits over Winter Break and/or during the J-term. Students taking Briefcraft in Spring 2026 should expect to do some editing work during the summer.
Credit structure:
Students typically receive two experiential credits for Workshop in Briefcraft. In many cases, it is possible for students to receive both experiential credits and major writing credit. However, if a student has previously taken a course that awarded both experiential credit and writing credit, the student will not be allowed to "double dip" a second time under Rule 1.1.5.2 of the credit rules. This means that some students may have to choose between writing credit and experiential credit. Students who are concerned about whether they can earn both writing and experiential credit should consult with their academic advisor to ensure that they are meeting their credit requirements.
Students earn three credits in the spring as teaching fellows, consisting of two experiential credits in the Moot Court Student Editor category and one credit in the Teaching Fellow category.
(2) Moot Court Student Editors/Teaching Fellows for Fall 2025 for 2 credits:
Students who work as fall teaching fellows have a chance to serve as mentors to new students in their first semester at CLS. They play a valuable role that goes beyond just editing and providing formal feedback. They will receive 2 teaching fellow credits.
Prospective fall teaching fellows should apply to the program via LawNet and will be matched with an instructor upon acceptance. Some students prefer to work with their former instructors, while others prefer to work with someone new. When deciding how to match students with professors, the LPW program considers the students’ confidential preferences, the instructors’ confidential preferences, and any scheduling concerns.
LPW I starts before Labor Day, approximately 10 days before the regular semester begins. LPW I typically ends a couple of weeks before the end of the semester, in mid-November. Students who are not available during August may still serve as teaching fellows, although they are encouraged to attend the August classes if possible.
(3) Moot Court Student Editors/ Teaching Fellows for Spring 2026 for 3 credits:
Spring student editors will be matched with a Spring section of LPW II. They will receive three credits: two experiential credits in the Moot Court Student Editor category and one teaching fellow credit. Like the fall teaching fellows, spring editors serve as valuable mentors to first-year students. They typically provide first-round edits on the students briefs, meet with students for individual conferences, and help prepare the students for oral arguments. In addition to attending the LPW classes, Spring editors are also expected to attend a series of 4 lunchtime sessions during January and early February 2026 to prepare them for their roles as editors of 1L work.
Combinations:
When applying on LawNet, students have the option to apply for any of the following combinations:
(1) Briefcraft Class in the Fall + LPW Teaching Fellow in the Spring (5 credits tota, including Major Writing creditl)
(2) Briefcraft Class in the Fall + LPW Teaching Fellow for the full year (7 credits total, including Major Writing credit)
(3) Briefcraft Class in Spring 2026 + option to be an LPW Teaching Fellow in 2026-2027 (2-7 credits, including Major Writing credit)
(4) LPW Teaching Fellow for both Fall and Spring (5 credits total)
(5) LPW Teaching Fellow for just Fall 2024 (2 credits)
(6) LPW Teaching Fellow for just the Spring 2025 (3 credits)
Timeline of Application Dates and Deadlines
April 22, 2025 - June 2, 2025: Application is open on LawNet, consisting of the following components:
- Brief application form describing why you want to be a Moot Court Student Editor;
- Resume;
- Writing Sample;
- Transcript; and
- The name and contact information for one or more references (typically either your LPW instructor or one of your student editors or moot court coaches).
July 11, 2025 - approximate notification date for students who have been selected.
Questions? There will be an information session on April 22, 2025 at 12:10 pm in JGH 104. Students may also contact Sophia Bernhardt at [email protected] with any questions. The direct link to the Lawnet application is here: https://lawnetportal.law.columbia.edu/web/moot-courts/apply-to-moot-courts
Note for Transfer Students: Transfer students entering CLS in the Fall of 2025 are welcome to apply to be Moot Court Student Editors. Please contact Sophia Bernhardt at [email protected].