Academics

Advocacy Programs

Pepperdine School of Law has a national reputation for excellence in advocacy

The excitement starts early each school year with the fall intraschool Armand Arabian Advocacy Tournament, where 2L and 3L students compete individually for honors and prize money in an appellate format. In the spring, the Vincent S. Dalsimer intraschool team appellate advocacy competition takes place, with the exciting final round and the elegant law school dinner occurring on the same Saturday. In past years, the final-round bench has included United States Supreme Court justices Sandra Day O'Connor, Byron White, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and Chief Justice John Roberts. The intraschool moot court calendar concludes with all 1L students participating in an appellate argument.

Interschool Trial and Appellate Advocacy Competitions

Pepperdine School of Law fields outstanding teams each year to compete against law schools from across the nation. Professor Harry Caldwell coordinates the interschool trial teams, guiding students through intense, challenging training through the Honors Trial Practice course. Professor Nancy McGinnis teaches Honors Appellate Advocacy and coaches the appellate team members who have been selected by the Moot Court Board's tryout process. Both the trial and appellate teams have a remarkable record of success, winning numerous regional and national competitions.