1L Closing Argument Competition

The 1L Mock Trial Competition will take place during the spring semester on Saturday, January 21, 2012 and Sunday, January 22, 2012. The competition provides first year students the opportunity to get a sense of what Mock Trial is all about. In this abbreviated competition, 1L students compete against each other in delivering closing arguments based on the provided case file. Participation in the 1L competition is highly encouraged, but not required to try out for a place in the Society through the Spring Qualifying Tournament.

Format

Case files will be provided to all 1Ls who have registered for competition. Based on the facts of the case file, each competitor will be asked to prepare both sides of a closing argument. Competitors will not be notified of which side they will be arguing until the day of competition. Competitors will be given 15 minutes each to give their closing argument.

Eligible Competitors

All first-year (1L) students are eligible to participate.

Demonstration Sessions

Demonstration sessions of an effective closing argument will be held by current members of Mock Trial. The sessions will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at 12:00PM in room WCL-603, and Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 10:010PM in WCL-603. The demonstration sessions will be webcast for those who cannot attend the live sessions.

Please look to the section on this page titled "Closing Argument Resources" for the webcasts of the Demonstration Sessions.

Registration

Students will be able to register for the 1L Closing Competition November 14-18, 2011, at the Mock Trial table in the lobby of WCL (Monday - Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM with extended hours on Tuesday/Wednesday 9:00AM-7:00PM). Students can pay the registration fee of $20 by cash, check, or online payment.

Online Payment Instructions

The registration fee for the 1L Closing Argument Competition is $15.00. To pay the registration fee, please follow the instructions below.

  1. Go to the section on this page titled "Registration"
  2. Click on "online payment"
  3. Complete the payment process
  4. Shortly after you complete the payment process, you will receive an email with the subject "Event Registration." Forward this email to ps4575a@american.edu. You must forward your "Event Registration" to ps4575a@american.edu to complete the registration process.

Important Dates

  • Registration for the 1L Closing Competition
    • November 14-18, 2011, at the Mock Trial table in the lobby of WCL
  • 1L Closing Argument Competition Case File Released
    • Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - Case File will be emailed to registered Competitors.
  • 1L Closing Competition
    • Saturday, January 21, 2012, (Rounds 1 and 2)
    • Sunday, January 22, 2012, (Rounds 3 and Final Championship RoundFinal)
  • Spring Qualifying Tournament
    • January 30 - February 3, 2012: Registration Period
    • February 3, 2012: Case File for Spring Qualifying Tournament Released
    • February 18-19, 2012: Spring Qualifying Tournament

Closing Argument Resources

We look forward to seeing you at the 1L Competition! If you have any questions regarding the 1L Closing Competition, please email mocktrialhonorsociety@gmail.com, with "Attn: Paul Schuh - 1L Closing" as the subject.