Moot Court

The SHSU Moot Court Team offers SHSU pre-law students the opportunity to develop critical-thinking skills, public speaking skills, and gain experience in the courtroom. Moot Court involves simulating an appeals case hearing in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, beginning with students learning the facts of the case, developing legal arguments based on the U.S. Constitution and legal precedents, and making their oral arguments before a panel of jurists.Students compete in teams of two.

The 2015 inaugural Moot Court team consisted of Kristyn Couvillion, Alejandra Galvan, Chelsea King, Kaitlyn Tyra, Austin Campbell, and James Perry. The team of Kristyn Couvillion and James Perry earned a spot in the “Sweet 16” after participating in the Invitational Tournament at the University of North Texas Law School and a regional tournament at the Texas Tech Law School. Chelsea King earned a top twelve individual oratory award at the Regional Competition.

The members of the 2016 SHSU Moot Court team were Kristyn Couvillion, Alejandra Galvan, Beatriz Martinez, Kaitlyn Tyra, Bryan Rodriguez, and Austin Taylor. The team composed of Kristyn Couvillion and Austin Taylor earned a spot in the “Sweet 16” at both the Invitational and the Regional competitions.

In its best showing to date, the 2017 Moot Court team included Kristyn Couvillion, Beatriz Martinez, Elizabeth Mintah, Ashley Nell, Alina Ward, and Austin Taylor, At the 2017 Invitational, the team of Kristyn Couvillion and Austin Taylor earned a spot in the octofinals and Alina Ward scored a number 13 individual oratory award. At the Regional Competition at Texas A&M Law School in Fort Worth, the Kristyn Couvillion and Austin Taylor team not only advanced to the quarterfinals but also earned an alternate bid to the National Moot Court Competition. Austin Taylor received a top 13 individual oratory award.

Formed by students from the LEAP Center at SHSU, the Moot Court team is the newest member of some 380 universities nationwide participating in the American Collegiate Moot Court Association. The moot court experience is one of many law-related and civic engagement activities offered by the LEAP Center.

Timeline:

Late Spring: Students interested in Moot Court should contact the team's coach, Jean Loveall (see below).

Late Summer: Try outs for Moot Court Team begin leading to final cuts for Moot Court Team.

Early Fall: Training, weekly meetings, and practice for moot court begins. Informal Scrimmages will be held.

October/November: Formal Moot Court Invitational Tournament and Regional Invitational.

Costs:

The LEAP Center charges nothing to students for participation in the Moot Court team. Students are, however, expected to have a nice dark suit for competition. In some cases, students may be asked to incur meal costs on trips. Students who drop out of the Moot Court program prior to competition may be asked to reimburse the LEAP Center for any costs incurred by the Center on the student's behalf.

Contact:

Moot Court Team Coach: Jean Loveall, J.D., M.A., M.P.H. (j.loveall@shsu.edu)