Federal Bar Association’s 2022 Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition

Applications are now being accepted for the Federal Bar Association’s 2022 Thurgood
Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition!
The Younger Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association has announced it will hold the
Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition in March 2022 via an online platform.
The virtual format is consistent with the learning plans of many law schools across the country
and, although the competition may look different this year, the competition’s key aspects will
remain intact and continue to be one of the premier moot court competitions in the country.
Each year, the FBA distributes case materials to the teams based on a current and developing
federal issue. The materials include a mock district court order and circuit court opinion. The
teams then use those materials to prepare and submit written appellate briefs and argue against
other teams from around the nation. Each team member argues and fields questions from a panel
of judges for 10-15 minutes. The panel of judges often include state or federal judges,
practitioners, or scholars—many of whom have also had to pivot to virtual hearings and
conferences in their careers. This novel remote format will provide competitors with a “real
world” experience of federal appellate advocacy. As is tradition, the competition will conclude
with an awards presentation, held virtually, where family, FBA members, and leaders are invited
to attend.
Mitchell Hamline’s teams have historically ranked very highly in this competition (winning
first place in 2019-2020).
Mitchell Hamline will have one two-person team competing this year. The deadline for
submitting applications for one of the two positions is 5:00 P.M. Friday, December 10, 2021.
Interested applicants should submit a persuasive writing sample (preferably an appellate writing
sample) to Andrew Wilson (awilson@wilsoncd.com) and Robert Yount
(Robert.Yount@co.anoka.mn.us). Cover letter or letter of interest optional. Interested applicants
are encouraged to reach out to either Andrew or Rob with any additional questions or concerns.
Depending on the volume of applicants, students may be asked to conduct a brief (3-5 minute)
oral argument on their writing sample.
Students receive 2 academic credits for participation in the competition. Generally, a student can
register for one credit in any semester in which they anticipate they will do at least 45 hours of
competition-related work. Some students split the credits, while others register for both credits in
the semester in which the student does the bulk of the work. Students with questions or in need
of assistance with registration-related issues should reach out to Debbie Nelson,
(debra.nelson@mitchellhamline.edu) or Morgan Holcomb,
(morgan.holcomb@mitchellhamline.edu)