ABA Law Student Division Competitions
The Law Student Division annually sponsors four national competitions. These competitions offer participating students a forum to develop the very skills they will use as practitioners, and a chance to meet and network with fellow law students and legal practitioners – future colleagues – from around the nation. Competitions also provide an excellent opportunity for law students to gain important resume-building experience and recognition.
Entry deadline: October 3 (Extended) The Arbitration Competition promotes greater knowledge in arbitration by simulating a realistic arbitration hearing. Participants prepare and present an arbitration case, including opening statements, witness examinations, exhibit introductions, evidentiary presentations, and summations. Experience what it is to be a professional, competent, and ethical advocate. For more details, see the website.
Entry deadline: October 3 (Extended) The Negotiation Competition promotes greater interest among law students in legal negotiation and provides a means for them to practice and improve their negotiating skills. The competition simulates legal negotiations in which law students, acting as lawyers, negotiate a series of legal problems. For more details, see the website.
Client Counseling Competition:
Entry deadline: October 17 (Extended) The Client Counseling Competition simulates a law office consultation in which law students, acting as attorneys, are presented with a client matter. They conduct an interview with a person playing the role of the client and then explain how they would proceed further in the hypothetical situation. For more details, see the website.
National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC):
Entry deadline: October 31 (Extended) The National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) emphasizes the development of oral advocacy skills through a realistic appellate advocacy experience. Competitors participate in a hypothetical appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The competition involves writing a brief as either respondent or petitioner and then arguing the case in front of the mock court. For more details, see the website.