91¶ÌÊÓƵ

Moot Court at Weber State

Moot court originated at Harvard Law School in 1820 as a way for law students to gain practical experience by arguing hypothetical court cases.

In 1899, Harvard Law School professor A.V. Dicey observed that moot court trained students in "every kind of argument."

This year's case:

In the context of the (ACMA), moot court is a competitive extracurricular activity where undergraduate students simulate an appellate court hearing. Participants write legal briefs and deliver oral arguments on a hypothetical case, practicing legal research, writing, and advocacy in front of a panel of judges, often simulating a higher court like the Supreme Court. This experience helps students refine their legal reasoning and presentation skills.

What We Do

How to Join

Student Testimonials

Who We Are

91¶ÌÊÓƵ has participated in American Moot Court Association tournaments in California since 1996, averaging 6–7 student competitors each year. Students travel with their coach, Dr. Gary Johnson, professor in the Department of Political Science & Philosophy, who has led the program for the past six years. Participants come from a variety of majors across campus, with about half studying criminal justice, political science, or philosophy. In Fall 2022, Moot Court became a formal part of the curriculum as POLS 3070, a three-credit course that students can take twice for up to six credit hours. This structure allows returning students to mentor newcomers while continuing to refine their own argumentation skills. These returning students are often high performers: motivated, experienced, and instrumental in helping first-time participants navigate the cases and the complex work of building effective arguments.

To get involved with Moot Court, contact Gary Johnson at garyjohnson@weber.edu, 801-626-6697, or stop by his office in Lindquist Hall 139.