Harvey M. Richey Moot Court Competition

All Baylor Law students are required to participate in one of two Harvey M. Richey Moot Court Society moot court competitions at the end of their first year. Appreciating the value of the experience, many upper-quarter students choose to compete for a second and even a third time.

Each participating team competes in four preliminary rounds of oral arguments before panels of two student barrister judges. The members of the top teams are each awarded the distinction of barrister and move on to a single-elimination tournament with rounds judged by barristers and faculty or practicing lawyers. The competition culminates in a final round before a panel of seven judges, including faculty, practicing lawyers, or sitting judges, along with the student winners from the previous competition.

While most law schools offer moot court competitions, they typically end after one or two rounds. The rigor required to professionally argue and sustain a case through seven or eight rounds gives Baylor Law students a far more immersive and richer experience in appellate advocacy.

Dawson & Sodd, LLP Fall Moot Court Competition

The Dawson & Sodd, LLP Fall Moot Court Competition is named in recognition of the late Professor Emeritus Matt “Mad Dog” Dawson, the Practice Court instructor from 1971 to 1983, and his firm, Dawson & Sodd, LLP of Corsicana. Baylor Law is grateful for the lifetime support of, and philanthropy to, Baylor Law School by Professor Emeritus Matt “Mad Dog” Dawson.

Faegre Drinker Spring Moot Court Competition

The Faegre Drinker Spring Moot Court Competition is generously sponsored by the law firm Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in recognition of its support of Baylor Law’s moot court program. The Law School administration, faculty, and students are very grateful for the support of the firm.