Advocacy Programs

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

Moot Court Board

The Pepperdine Moot Court Board is a student-run board overseen by a faculty member which is responsible for hosting CSOL’s three annual intra-school Moot Court Competitions where our own upper-division students showcase their advocacy skills against their fellow classmates. The Moot Court Board has also hosted the National Entertainment Law Moot Court Competition (NELC) since 2000. The competition was moved to a bi-annual basis beginning in 2021. The problems for each of the three in-house competitions, as well as the National Entertainment Law Moot Court Competition are written by student problem-writers who receive writing credit for their work on the competition.

Trial Advocacy

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law fields outstanding teams each year to compete against law schools from across the nation. Professor Harry Caldwell coordinates the Trial Advocacy Board, guiding students through intense, challenging training through the Honors Trial Practice course. Both our trial and appellate teams have a remarkable record of success, winning numerous regional and national competitions. Each year, five members of the Trial Advocacy Program are inducted into the Order of the Barristers.

Moot Court Team

The Pepperdine Caruso Law Moot Court Team is another program, overseen by Professor Mark Kubisch, that sends teams of students to a number of appellate advocacy competitions across the country every year. Our Moot Court Team is known across the country for exceptional appellate advocacy. Students work all year on their cases and travel to various cities, universities, and courts across the country to compete against other law schools. Five members of the Moot Court Team are also inducted into the Order of the Barristers annually.