Have you ever wanted to sit in judgment of others and get credit for it?
Peggy Pissarreck , over at the American Bar Association , is asking you to be a judge for a few hours and will reward you with free CLE credits. Here are the details:
On behalf of the American Bar Association Law Student Division, and its National Appellate Advocacy Competition Subcommittee, I would like to invite you to participate as an oral argument judge for the 2008-09 Brooklyn Regional National Appellate Advocacy Competitions (NAAC). This moot court competition will be held March 5 - 7, 2009 at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
This year's problem involves two questions. The first is whether congressmen who voted for legislation that the President refuses to obey on the grounds that the legislation is unconstitutional have standing to sue the President for his failure to comply with the legislation. The second is whether a statute setting forth a timetable for withdrawing forces from a previously authorized foreign conflict unconstitutionally infringes on the President's power as Commander in Chief of the armed forces.
As a judge, you will have the opportunity to interact with the finest advocates that the nation's law schools have to offer. With 190 teams competing, the NAAC is one of the largest moot court competitions in the country. Teams from law schools in 15 states are preparing to compete in the Brooklyn Regional.
The rounds will be held in the late afternoon on Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6, and all day on Saturday, March 7. Judges may serve multiple rounds if they desire.
- Round 1 - Thu. March 5 (5:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.)
- Round 2 - Fri. March 6 (5:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.)
- Round 3 - Sat. March 7 (9:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.)
- Round 4 - Sat. March 7 (1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
- Round 5 - Sat. March 7 (4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
If you are willing to serve as a judge, please enter your information on the form located at http://www.abanet.org/lsd/competitions/naac/2008-2009/forms/judges/brooklyn.html
We need approximately 180 judges for the regional competition. If you have any colleagues who may be interested in participating as a volunteer judge, please forward this message to them. Judging assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. A few days after receipt of your form, we will send an email confirming judging assignments. In late January, we will provide a detailed bench memorandum and instructions on judging. Reviewing these materials is the only preparation required of competition judges.
Pursuant to Section 1500.2(c)-(f) and 1500.22 of the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Program for Attorneys in the State of New York, this activity can be applied under the "general" category. Volunteer judges receive one CLE credit hour for each 50 minutes of activity. The statute limits the number of credit hours to six (6) during any one reporting cycle.
The development of oral and written advocacy skills is very important in the context of litigation practice. We sincerely hope you will be able to participate in this great learning experience for law students by serving as a judge.
Please contact me at 312-988-5621 or at naac@staff.abanet.org if you have any questions.
Thank you for considering this invitation.
Sincerely,
Peggy Pissarreck
ABA Law Student Division
312/988-5621
pissarrm@staff.abanet.org