Current 1Ls, 2Ls, and incoming transfer students are invited to apply for the position of Moot Court Student Editor for the 2023-2024 academic year. Moot Court Student Editors may serve all year or for one semester. The options are as follows:
(a) Editors for the full year (Fall 2023 & Spring 2024) for a total of 5 credits + major writing credit:
Full-year editors will attend the Workshop in Briefcraft class in the fall, which will be held on Wednesdays 4:20 PM - 6:10 PM. In Briefcraft, the students will work collaboratively in teams of four students to create new moot court problems. In the spring, these students will serve as LPW II teaching fellows. Students receive two of the five credits in the fall, and three in the spring. This is the only moot court student editor option that includes major writing credit.
Please note that of the five credits for the full-year program, up to four are experiential credits. Students typically receive two experiential credits in the fall for Workshop in Briefcraft, and two experiential credits in the spring in the Moot Court Student Editor Category. The third credit in the spring is a teaching fellow credit. In most cases, it is possible for students to receive both experiential credits and major writing credit from Workshop in Briefcraft in the fall. However, if a student has previously taken a course that awarded both experiential credit and writing credit, the student will not be allowed to "double dip" a second time under Rule 1.1.5.2 of the credit rules. This means that some 3Ls may have to choose between writing credit and experiential credit for the fall. 3Ls who are concerned about whether they can earn both writing and experiential credit should consult with their academic advisor to ensure that they are meeting their credit requirements.
(b) Teaching Fellows for Fall 2023 for 2 credits:
Fall teaching fellows will be matched with a fall section of LPW or LRW (the research and writing course that LL.M. students take). Students who work as fall teaching fellows have a chance to serve as mentors to new students in their first semester at CLS, and serve a valuable role that goes beyond just editing and providing formal feedback. They will receive 2 teaching fellow credits.
Please note that both LPW and LRW start before Labor Day, one or two weeks before the regular semester begins. They also end early: LRW ends in October, and LPW typically ends in November. Students who will still be away during August may still serve as teaching fellows, though they are encouraged to attend the August classes if possible.
(c) Moot Court Student Editors for Spring 2024 for 3 credits:
Spring editors will be matched with a Spring Section of LPW II. They will receive three credits: two experiential credits in the "moot court student editor" category + one teaching fellow credit. Like the fall teaching fellows, spring editors serve as valuable mentors to first-year students.
Timeline of Application Dates and Deadlines
April 21, 2023 - June 6, 2023: Application is Open on LawNet, consisting of the following components:
- Brief application form describing why you want to be a Moot Court Student Editor;
- Resume;
- Writing Sample;
- Transcript; and
- The name and contact information for one or more references (typically either your LPW instructor or one of your student editors or moot court coaches).
June 23, 2023 - approximate notification date for students who have been selected for both the full-year and spring programs.
Questions? Students are encouraged to contact Sophia Bernhardt at sfb2147@columbia.edu with any questions. Sophia will also be holding Zoom Office Hours on Friday, June 2, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm and on Monday, June 5, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm to address any final questions about the application process. The Zoom links for these office hours will be sent via email to all rising 2L and 3L students.
Note for Transfer Students: Transfer students entering CLS in the Fall of 2022 are welcome to apply to be Moot Court Student Editors. The application deadline for transfer students will be posted shortly. Interested students may also contact Sophia Bernhardt at sfb2147@columbia.edu