Moot Court & Advocacy Competitions

What to Expect

• This competition is open to second- and third-year law students.
• Gonzaga traditionally enters two teams (of three members each) in this competition, allowing six students to compete each year.

Before the Competition

• Students who are interested will fill out an application with a writing sample.

At the Competition

• Two teams are sent to the Civil Rights regional competition.
• Appellate advocacy style competition.
• Traditionally held the last week of February each year.

The National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) is a moot court competition in which Gonzaga law students compete with students from other law schools across the nation. This competition emphasizes oral and written advocacy in an appellate setting.

What to Expect

• Although participation in NAAC requires a significant time commitment, the rewards are great.
• Students receive extensive guidance on the preparation of an appellate brief and on techniques of oral advocacy.
• This competition is open to second and third-year law students.

Before the Competition

• Students who wish to participate in NAAC must apply in the spring semester by submitting a resume, their class rank and GPA, and a writing sample.

At the Competition

• The Gonzaga School of Law sends two teams to the regional competition each year.
• The regional competition is held in the spring, and the national competition takes place in the summer.
• First-year students are invited to apply.
• Competition is sponsored by the Law School Division of the American Bar Association.

Real-life Trial Format

The National Trial Competition uses a real-life trial format, taking students through a jury trial from pre-trial motions to closing arguments. This competition tests a student’s grasp of the rules of evidence, public speaking, and trial procedure.

What to Expect

• This competition is open to second- and third-year law students.
• First-year students are encouraged to volunteer as witnesses for the team’s practice scrimmages.
• Teams are made up of two to three student attorneys.
• The case alternates, annually, between civil and criminal.
• The competition challenges the team’s ability to conduct a trial effectively and persuasively.
• Considerable time is required for case preparation and practice.

At the Competition

• The regional competition lasts several days and is in late January or early February.
• Teams in our western region take turns hosting the regional tournament.
• Each round may take up to three hours and includes the opportunity to make and respond to pre-trial motions, objections, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments.
• The top two teams from each regional competition advance to the national competition in Texas, held in the spring.

After the Competition

• Winners advance to a regional competition held in early March.
• Winners from regionals advance to national competition held in early April.

With two teams competing each year, SAUL focuses on trademark law and appellate advocacy. In 2025, Gonzaga Law’s team captured the National Championship and Best Brief, a point of immense pride for the program.

What to Expect

The Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition, sponsored by the International Trademark Association (INTA), focuses on advanced issues in trademark and unfair competition law. Members of Gonzaga’s Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Team gain intensive appellate advocacy experience, become part of a robust legal network, and develop deep expertise in intellectual property law.

A Tradition of Excellence

Gonzaga has a long record of success in the competition, earning numerous national and regional awards—including a National Championship and Best Brief in 2025, multiple second-best briefs, and several top regional finishes. Gonzaga has advanced to the national finals many times (2011, 2019–2021, 2023, 2025).

Community and Professional Network

The team is a close-knit community of current students and alumni. Local intellectual property attorneys regularly return as mock judges for practices, providing mentorship and networking opportunities. Participation opens doors to a broad professional network and shared connections with leading IP practitioners in the region.

Commitment and Experience

Team members commit significant time to meetings, practices, and collaborative preparation. In return, they gain unmatched appellate-level litigation experience, mastery of the competition problem, and a sophisticated understanding of trademark and unfair competition law.

Before the Competition

Gonzaga typically enters two teams of three to four students. The competition is open to all students, though 2Ls and 3Ls who have taken (or are enrolled in) Legal Research & Writing III and Intellectual Property are encouraged to apply.

Selection is based primarily on demonstrated excellence in legal writing and oral advocacy. Indicators include LRW performance, academic achievement, writing recognition, and prior advocacy experience. Applicants also submit a personal statement and participate in interviews at the end of the academic year.

Once selected, team members begin preparation immediately. From May through September, competitors build a strong foundation in trademark and unfair competition law and meet regularly with the team’s coach before the problem is released.

At the Competition

Gonzaga competes in the Western Region, with oral arguments held at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The top two teams advance to the national finals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C.

INTA releases the problem in late September. Briefs are due in early January, followed by intensive oral argument preparation. Teams practice twice weekly before local IP attorneys serving as mock judges. In February, competitors present their arguments in San Francisco and attend networking events and the awards ceremony.

Scoring gives equal weight to written briefs and oral arguments, with awards at both the regional and national levels for team and individual excellence.