Legal Education
Sep. 22, 2025
Setting up a moot court: Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Moot courts can sharpen appellate skills, but only when designed to measure persuasion rather than polish.
Myron Moskovitz
Legal Director
Moskovitz Appellate Team
90 Crocker Ave
Piedmont , CA 94611-3823
Phone: (510) 384-0354
Email: myronmoskovitz@gmail.com
UC Berkeley SOL Boalt Hal
A "moot court" is a practice argument to an ersatz appellate court. (Don't confuse it with a "mock trial," which is a practice presentation to a trial court jury.)
I've been involved with moot courts for quite a while. My thinking about how best to set them up has evolved through three stages. At each stage, I asked myself the vital question: how much does this method contribute to victory on appeal?
Method No.1 -- the law school m...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$895, but save $100 when you subscribe today… Just $795 for the first year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In