In 2014, the Committee established a Moot Court Program for
counsel who are scheduled to argue cases in the New York Court of Appeals. The
Court of Appeals Program is facilitated by staff at the New York State Bar
Association, and moot arguments take place at the Bar Center in Albany unless
other arrangements are made. Links and contact information for the NYSBA
program is provided below.
More recently, the Committee has helped to expand appellate
moot court opportunities by working with County bar associations to establish
programs for counsel scheduled to argue Appellate Division cases, as well as
other appeals. These regional programs will allow counsel to moot arguments closer
to home among their peers. Thus far, two model programs have been set up—one by
the Erie County Bar Association and the other by the Albany County Bar
Association. Links to the County Bar Association
programs are also provided below.
The New York Court of Appeals Moot Court
Program Offered by the NYSBA Committee on Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction
The Committee offers its Moot Court Program to counsel with
cases in the New York Court of Appeals. Any attorney with a case in the Court
of Appeals can apply and request that the Program “moot” his/her argument
before a panel of 3-7 “judges,” made up of experienced appellate practitioners
and former judges. Following the simulated argument by counsel, the judges will
provide the attorney with a candid evaluation, including the strengths and
weaknesses of counsel’s presentation and suggestions for improvement.
This program is of particular benefit to solo practitioners and counsel from
small firms who may not have experience in the Court of Appeals or the opportunity
to moot an appeal. It is modeled on
relatively small number of similar programs operated by several law
schools and bar associations across the nation. With the exception of
Georgetown Law School’s program that focuses on arguments in the United States
Supreme Court, each of these programs was started relatively recently.
The Committee’s program will generally follow the “unilateral” approach where
only one side to the appeal will be heard, which every existing program follows
with one exception. Former Court of Appeals Judge Albert Rosenblatt’s NYU
Law School course uses the “bilateral” approach in which both sides argue. Consistent
with this, we will take the first party to an appeal who requests a “moot” and
require all participants to sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Bilateral
arguments will be accepted only if both parties consent, and the judges will
provide separate evaluation time for each lawyer.
Counsel are encouraged to apply promptly once their appeal is calendared by the
Court for a term. Electronic or paper copies of all briefs must be provided
with the application. While the entire Record should also be provided
electronically, the mooting judges will advise counsel if portions of the
Record should be provided as paper copies. The moot arguments will be held
approximately 7-14 days before the actual argument date. Moot court
sessions will be held at the NYSBA Bar Center in Albany, unless counsel and the
Judges agree to an alternative location.
The Committee reserves the right to reject requested moots based on the
Subcommittee’s view that the appeal in question is not “moot-worthy.” However,
acceptance into the program will not be based on subject matter or the attorney
requesting the moot. The program is available to all NYSBA members without
additional fee. If you are not currently a NYSBA member, proof of application
and payment of the fee must be provided – a very inexpensive “moot” considering
all the other member benefits included.
To obtain and complete a Form to request a moot argument
click here. To volunteer as a
Moot Court Judge click here. Completed
forms, and questions, can be directed to the Committee’s staff liaison, Dan McMahon at [email protected] (or 518-487-5582).
Regional Moot Court Programs Offered by Local Bar Associations
The Committee is also seeking to expand opportunities to
moot appellate arguments by helping County bar associations put into place local
programs. Such programs allow moots to be scheduled throughout the State for
the convenience of the participating attorney(s) and judges. Such programs are
particularly useful to new and experienced appellate advocates who are arguing
in the Appellate Division.
To date, two model programs have been put into place—one by
the Erie County Bar Association and the other by the Albany County Bar
Association. These “cooperative” programs offer formal and/or informal
opportunities to moot appellate arguments among experienced appellate advocates
who are also fellow members of the county bar associations. Such programs often
employ a sort of “pay it forward” approach to provide judges for the arguments
to be mooted. In addition, retired members of the judiciary and appellate bar
may be recruited to assist in mooting the arguments.
The County bar programs can benefit repeat appellate
advocates as well as those who have little experience advocating in the appellate
courts. And they provide local opportunities to moot cases not only in the
Appellate Division, but also in the New York Court of Appeals and the Second
Circuit Courts of Appeals.
While, as a general rule, membership in the County bar
associations is required to enjoy the benefits of their programs, it may be
possible for lawyers from nearby counties to participate upon request for a
reasonable fee.
Links and contact information for the County Bar Association
Programs are set forth below:
Erie County Bar Association Appellate Moot Program
Edward Markarian [email protected]
Timothy Murphy [email protected]
Albany County Bar Association Appellate Moot Program
Justin Brusgul [email protected]
Cindy Feathers [email protected]
General Questions
General questions can also be directed to the Committee’s
staff liaison, Dan McMahon at [email protected] (or 518-487-5582).
To read the Committee’s Original Report on the Moot Court
Program, click here.
