ABA Needs Oral Argument Judges for St. Louis Region of National Appellate Advocacy Competition February 21, 22, and 23

The ABA Law Student Division desperately needs 77 more lawyers and judges to serve as oral argument judges for the 2012-13 St. Louis Regional National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC). This moot court competition will be held at the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse (111 South 10th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102).

The rounds take place in the late afternoon on Thursday and Friday, February 21-22  and all day on Saturday, Feburary 23. Judges may serve multiple rounds if they desire.

Round 1 – Thursday, Feburay 21 (3:30 pm - 7:45 pm) 14 judges needed
Round 2 – Friday, February 22 (3:30 pm - 7:45 pm) 27 judges needed
Round 3 – Saturday, Feburary 23 (8:30 am - 12:45 pm) 23 judges needed
Round 4 – Saturday, Feburary 23 (1:00 pm - 3:30 pm) 7 judges needed
Round 5 – Saturday, Feburary 23 (3:30 pm - 6:00 pm) 6 judges needed

SIGN UP HERE
Lawyers and judges are asked to visit https://abanet.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_enhnuayY4bWNU5T and enter their contact information and round selection on that form.

The ABA will send an email confirming judging assignments after receipt of the form. The ABA will provide a bench memorandum, the problem (record), and instructions on judging. Reviewing these materials is the only preparation required of competition judges.

Please forward this information to colleagues who may be interested in participating as a volunteer judge.

CLE CREDIT INFORMATION
The ABA Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition has applied for CLE credit in the states of Illinois, Missouri, and New York.

COMPETITION TOPIC
This year’s case involves two questions. The first is whether an officer's actions were beyond her "discretion" to the point that they would not be entitled to qualified immunity analysis in a § 1983 case. The second examines the extent to which a grand jury indictment breaks the causal connection between that officer’s allegedly unconstitutional actions and the plaintiff's subsequent seizure.

COMPETITION BACKGROUND
With 226 teams from 130 ABA-approved law schools competing at the regional level, the NAAC is one of the largest moot court competitions in the country. Law schools tend to send their very best students to the NAAC. Teams from law schools in 12 states are preparing to compete in the St. Louis Regional.

Volunteer judges contribute greatly to the success of this competition. The judges’ feedback during and following each competition round is invaluable to the students as they learn to be better advocates for their future clients.

Please direct questions to Peggy Pissarreck at 312.988.5621 or naac@americanbar.org.

Thank you for your help.