What is the National Appellate Advocacy Competition?

NAAC is the ABA’s official appellate advocacy competition and one of the largest oral argument competitions in the country. Typically, over 180 teams compete. The competition has two components, a written brief (drafted from November 16 to January 7th), and oral arguments. This year’s problem will center on the Eighth Amendment. Moot court competitions are an excellent opportunity to develop writing and oral advocacy skills, dive deeply into an area of law, and build self-confidence.

Each team consists of two oral advocates and a brief editor. All three members are expected to write the brief together. The two oral advocates will have separate legal issues to address in a 15-minute oral argument. The brief editor acts as the time keeper during the oral arguments.

Coaches: Erin Ford Faulhaber, Casey Ball, Lauren Burkhart

Who Should Apply?

ASU’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition team invites all 2Ls and 3Ls to apply for a spot on our 2018-2019 teams.

We will hold tryouts September 4th through 8th (exact dates and times will depend on the number of applicants). ASU typically sends two teams of three students, so we are looking for up to six competitors. All students, including returning team members, must participate in tryouts.

Because the competition spans two semesters and requires the teams to spend a significant amount of time in the same room, students who are spending either fall or spring semester in D.C. or abroad may not apply.

What’s the Deadline?

Applications must be emailed to caseydball@gmail.com by midnight on August 31, 2018.

What Does the Application Need to Include?

The application should include:

1.  Availability for tryouts from 9/4/18-9/8/18
2. Your resume, including:
   • 1L writing & advocacy grades
   • A list of any other advanced writing courses taken
   • Prior moot court/mock trial experience (may supplement in the e-mail if needed)
3. Writing Sample that highlights persuasive writing techniques (please do not submit a journal note or memo).
   • Please limit the writing sample to 5-6 pages and make sure it has at least one example of the CREAC format.
   • Your tryout will consist of a 5-minute oral argument based on the writing sample. Be sure you are familiar with the subject and can convert the arguments into an oral argument format.
4. In your email, please tell us whether you are applying for the oral advocate position, the brief editor position, or both.