Enrichment Opportunities
Brandeis School of Law students gain valuable skills through numerous oral advocacy opportunities.
Brandeis School of Law offers many opportunities to enjoy "out-of-classroom" experiences, such as skills competitions, writing competitions and our University of Louisville Signature Partnership with Central High School's Law and Government Magnet Program.
Skills Competitions
The Brandeis School of Law has one of the most comprehensive moot court and professional skills competition programs in the country. Students have compiled a record of achievement that includes a total of five national championships, with wins in 1999, 2000, 2008, 2011 and 2016.
National Competitions
On the national level, students may choose among various different national competitions. The student Moot Court and Professional Skills Competition Board conducts tryouts for each competition. Alumni members of the bench and bar as well as faculty coaches assist students in preparation for national competition, including:
- ABA Arbitration Competition
- ABA Client Counseling Competition
- ABA Negotiation Competition
- AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition
- Herbert Wechsler National Criminal Law Moot Court Competition
- Jeffrey G. Miller Pace National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition
- Kentucky Intrastate Mock Trial Competition
- Robert L. Wagner National Labor Law Moot Court Competition
- Irving Kaufman Memorial Securities Law Moot Court Competition
- National Moot Court Competition
- NYU Immigration Law Competition
- American Trial Lawyers Association Moot Trial Competition
- American Intellectual Property Law Association Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Court Competition
- International Trademark Association Saul Lefkowitz National Moot Court Competition
- Transactional Law Meet Competition
- Savannah Challenge Trial Advocacy Competition
- National Tax Moot Court Competition
- American Trial Lawyers Association Moot Trial Competition
Pirtle-Washer Moot Court Competition
During the second and third year students may compete for financial awards in the Henry Pirtle and Benjamin F. Washer Moot Court Competition. Pirtle was the first dean of the law school from 1846 to 1873. Washer was dean of the Jefferson School of Law for 20 years prior to its merger with the university. Participation in the Pirtle-Washer competition provides a foundation for representing the Brandeis School of Law in national competitions.
First-Year Oral Advocacy Competition
The competition provides an opportunity for first year law students to hone their oral advocacy skills, compete with peers, and meet local attorneys and judges.
All competitors argue in the Preliminary Rounds, with the top 8 competitors advancing to Wednesday’s quarterfinal rounds. Starting with quarterfinals, competition will be head-to-head, meaning one competitor from each round will advance.
Writing Competitions
Brandeis offers a variety of writing competitions, most with cash prizes on the line. They include a Best in Class eDiscovery Legal Research and Writing Competition; Intellectual Property Student Writing Competition; Justice Essay Competition; Legal Ethics Writing Competition; Kentucky Bar Association's Annual Student Writing Competition; Employee Benefits Writing Competition; and many more.
Central High School Partnership
The Central High School Partnership, a UofL Signature Partnership, is an effort between Louisville’s Central High School and the Brandeis School of Law to promote diversity in the legal profession.
