Trial Competitions

The University of Arkansas School of Law is home to an exceptionally strong advocacy skills competition program. The school hosts two intramural appellate advocacy competitions that cumulatively lead to the selection of five appellate moot court interscholastic competition teams through the Board of Advocates and a sixth team selected by the Black Law Students Association. While most team members are third-year students, exceptional second-year students have successfully participated in various competitions.

William H. Sutton Barrister's Union Trial Competition

During the fall semester, 2Ls and 3Ls may compete in the William H. Sutton Barrister's Union Trial Competition, sponsored by the Board of Advocates.

Ben J. Altheimer Spring Moot Court competition

During the winter and spring, 2Ls are invited to participate in the Ben J. Altheimer Spring Moot Court competition, in which competitors form two-person teams, write a brief, and argue both sides of a case before panels of moot court judges. From this competition, outstanding advocates are selected to represent the School of Law in the National Moot Court Competition, sponsored by the Bar of the City of New York (regional rounds in November; final rounds in January in New York City) and the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition (regional rounds in February and final rounds in April, in Chicago).

Client Advocacy Competitions

Late in the spring semester, all students (first year, second year, third year) are invited to participate in the law school's client advocacy competitions. Outstanding advocates from this competition may be selected to compete in one of the ABA's client advocacy competitions: either in negotiations or in client counseling.