Honors Moot Court
About Honors Moot Court
The Honors Moot Court Program at Santa Clara University School of Law prepares students to become skilled appellate advocates through rigorous training in legal research, persuasive writing, oral advocacy, teamwork, and professionalism.
Unlike a traditional classroom, moot court places students in the role of appellate advocates. Competitors analyze a simulated appellate record, research complex legal issues, write appellate briefs, and defend their arguments before panels of judges in a competitive setting. Along the way, students develop practical advocacy skills by thinking strategically, responding to difficult questions under pressure, and communicating clearly and persuasively.
The Honors Moot Court Program brings together classroom instruction, an annual intramural competition, external advocacy competitions, and student leadership opportunities into a single, integrated appellate advocacy program. Through LAW 398, selected students develop advanced appellate advocacy skills while competing in a multi-round intramural tournament each November before judges, attorneys, and legal professionals. The Program also provides opportunities for students to represent Santa Clara Law in regional and national appellate moot court competitions, as well as a variety of specialized advocacy competitions, depending on each competition's requirements and selection process. Experienced competitors often return to serve as Board members or student coaches, mentoring future advocates and helping administer the program. Throughout the program, students benefit from the guidance of faculty, practicing attorneys, judges, Board members, student coaches, and alumni who volunteer their time to mentor competitors and provide feedback at each stage of the advocacy process.
2026-2027 Honors Moot Court Board
President
Aaditya Divekar
Senior VP - Internal Competitions
Jake Brucker
Jake Stone
VP - Judicial Recruitment
Eulalio Rosales-Magana
VP of Public Relations
Shreya Sathish
Problem/Curriculum Committee
Genesis Vanegas Calvo
Amali Cole
Emma Rahimi
Joseph Riccardo
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Faculty Director
Professor Melody Sequoia
Associate Clinical Professor of Law
Interested in the Internal Competition?
Students interested in participating in Santa Clara Law's annual Internal Moot Court Competition should apply for Honors Moot Court – Appellate Advocacy (LAW 398). Offered each fall, the course combines advanced appellate advocacy instruction with preparation for the Internal Competition, which culminates in a multi-round tournament held each November.
Every student enrolled in LAW 398 competes in the tournament, arguing before panels of judges, practicing attorneys, faculty, and alumni. After two preliminary rounds, the highest-scoring teams advance to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship round.
Applications for the Honors Moot Court – Appellate Advocacy course are typically released each April for enrollment in the following fall semester, with selections made before the end of the spring semester.
Interested in External Competitions?
The Honors Moot Court Program sponsors a broad range of regional, national, and international advocacy competitions each year, including traditional appellate moot court competitions as well as specialized competitions in a variety of practice areas. Because each competition differs in its subject matter and format, eligibility requirements and selection procedures vary.
Because pathways into external competitions vary, students are encouraged to explore opportunities early. Some competitions build directly on the skills and experience developed in Honors Moot Court – Appellate Advocacy (LAW 398), while others have different eligibility pathways. Reviewing the annual competition schedule can help students plan ahead and ensure they complete any recommended or required coursework before the application process begins.
Each summer, the Honors Moot Court Program publishes the anticipated competition schedule for the upcoming academic year, including available competitions, eligibility requirements, application information, and key dates.
Anticipated External Competitions
2026–2027 Anticipated External Competitions (Coming Soon)
Learn More
The HMC Handbook provides detailed information about the Program, including application timelines, competition opportunities, academic credit, Board positions, student coaching, and program policies.
For questions about course credit, prerequisites, or other progam policies, contact the Faculty Director, Melody Sequoia at msequoia@scu.edu
For questions about the internal competition, judging or coaching opportunities, or all other inquiries, contact the HMC Board at HMC@scu.edu