Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition

The competition focuses primarily on public and civil rights law, along with topics of particular relevance to communities of color. Competitors, in teams of two, must submit appellate briefs during the fall semester and argue orally for a minimum of three oral argument rounds at regionals in the spring semester. The top three teams from regionals advance to the national competition. The competition is open to all members of the National Black Law Students Association, which does not restrict its membership.

Columbia Law School competitors are coached by two upperclass students who provide significant individual support as the competitors write the brief. The student coaches also assist with live oral argument practice, which is conducted before panels of student judges, for at least a month. First-year students at Columbia Law School typically place competitively in the regional and national competitions each year.