Student Advocacy Teams

Moot Court (PSCI 4v67) is a course and competition team modeled after appellate procedures used in state and federal courts. In the class, students are given a hypothetical case and must construct oral arguments for both the petitioner and respondent to present before the United States Supreme Court.  

Moot Court competitions require students to argue before a panel of judges, who may interrupt the advocate to ask questions about the facts of the case, precedent, or policy issues that may arise from any potential rulings. Through this process, students learn to anticipate difficult questions, respond intelligently and persuasively, and develop the research, analytical, and advocacy skills necessary for success in law school. 

UTD’s Moot Court program has been successful both regionally and nationally, as recognized by the American Moot Court Association. The course is open to any student, but a constitutional law or civil liberties prerequisite is required, and prior instructor permission is necessary to enroll. Interested students should contact Moot Court Coach Jody Joiner for more information. 

Mock Trial (PSCI 4v66) is a course and competition team that allows students to participate in academic competition teams. The class simulates trial-level advocacy by providing students with a hypothetical case in the form of a 150-page packet, including affidavits, evidence, case law, and legal documents necessary to try the case in court. 

Through Mock Trial participation, students will understand the rules of evidence and courtroom procedure and develop the skills needed to try a case in court as if they were seasoned attorneys. The class is designed to be challenging, and students should expect to be treated as new law students from day one, with every student being called upon to give their interpretation of the case material, rules, and procedure. 

The Mock Trial competition season typically begins in late September and goes until the Thanksgiving break, then picks back up the first week of the spring semester and continues until April. UTD competes in tournaments across the U.S., providing team members with a national perspective of the legal culture. Each team consists of at least six members (three attorneys and three witnesses) who compete against teams from other schools, with tournaments being typically judged by practicing attorneys or law students. 

The program is not limited to pre-law students. However, pre-law students develop the analytical and presentational skills necessary for success in law school and beyond. Students interested in careers other than law benefit from enhanced public speaking skills and the ability to think strategically. All students are welcome to participate, as the law touches everyone. 

No prior experience is necessary, and there are no specific academic prerequisites for participation in the program other than interviewing with the coach. Students interested in participating in the program should begin contacting Mock Trial Coach Tony Seagroves in late spring to interview for a spot on a fall team. The team is limited to 25 students. 

Mediation is an extracurricular activity that allows students to become members of a competitive team that participates in nationwide competitions. Mediation aims to educate aspiring lawyers on the importance of resolving potential legal issues outside the court system. 

The competitions are designed to simulate settlement conferences and involve three students competing against teams from other schools. The competitors take on the roles of mediator, advocate, and client and are judged by practicing attorneys and mediators. The focus is on the effectiveness of arguments, flexibility during the negotiation process, active listening skills, creativity, and the ability to facilitate settlement. 

UTD’s Mediation program is considered one of the premier programs in the nation, and teams participate in both invitational tournaments and the national tournament. The competition season is held during the fall semester, typically in October and November. 

The program is open to any student interested in alternative dispute resolution, and there are no specific academic prerequisites. The program is limited to 15 students, and team selection is held in late August. Students interested in participating should contact Coach Tony Seagroves at the end of the spring semester to be considered for the fall program.