School of Law

2L In-House Competition

moot court final round judged by Chief Justice John Roberts in 2008

Students in the in-house competition work on a mock appellate problem before the United States Supreme Court. The final round of the competition is judged by active federal and state court judges. In past final rounds, KU students have argued before United States Supreme Court and Kansas Supreme Court justices, U.S. Circuit and U.S. District Court judges, and Kansas appellate and trial judges. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Clarence Thomas have judged the final rounds in past years.

The subject area of the competition varies from year to year. Each individual will have to write on one issue. The top 16 individuals become members of KU's Moot Court Council in their third year of law school and will represent KU in various national and international moot court competitions.

Polisnelli law firm provides prizes for the best oral advocates and for the authors of the best briefs in the competition.

Competition Videos

2020 Polsinelli Moot Court Awards:

  • Best Oral Advocate: Austyn Caisse
  • Finalists: Austyn Caisse, David Biegel, Sydney Buckley, Caleb Kampsen, Peyton Pender, Benjamin Ramburg, Jake Schmidt
  • Best Brief: Benjamin Ramburg and Caleb Kampsen
  • Second Best Brief: Jake Schmidt and Peyton Pender

2019 Polsinelli Moot Court Awards:

  • Best Oral Advocate: TJ Blake
  • Finalists: Andi Leuszler, Tate Hughes, Cole Cummins
  • Best Brief: Cole Cummins and Tate Hughes
  • Second Best Brief: TJ Blake and Andi Leuszler

2018 Polsinelli Moot Court Awards:

  • Best Oral Advocate: Chris Carey 
  • Finalists: Kyle Klucas, Maria Drouhard, Robert Teutsch
  • Best Brief: Cassie Wait and Dan Kopp
  • Second Best Brief: Robert Teutsch

2017 Foulston Siefkin Prizes for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy:

  • Best Oral Advocate: Mathew Petersen
  • Finalists: Sarah McMillin-Beckman, Mathew Petersen, Tim Hadachek, Pierce Shimp
  • Best Brief: Sarah McMillin-Beckman and Mathew Petersen
  • Second Brief: Ben Stueve and John Truong

2016 Foulston Siefkin Prizes for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy:

  • Best Oral Advocate: Erica McCabe
  • Finalists: Kriston Guillot, Skyler Davenport, Nathan Kakazu
  • Best Brief: Max McGraw and Nathan Mannebach
  • Second Brief: Erica McCabe and Kriston Guillot

2015 Foulston Siefkin Prizes for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy:

  • Best Oral Advocate: Cate Zollicker
  • Finalists: Ashley Akers, Abby Hall, Kendra Frazier
  • Best Brief: Ashley Akers and Abby Hall
  • Second Brief: Bryce Langford and Luke Hangge

2014 Foulston Siefkin Prizes for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy:

  • Best Oral Advocate: Paul Mose
  • Finalists: Jason Harmon, Alex Cleeter, Paul Brothers
  • Best Brief: Jason Harmon and Paul Mose
  • Second Brief: Bryanna Hanschu and Alison McCourt

2013 Foulston Siefkin Prizes for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy:

  • Best Oral Advocate: Aubrey Wilson
  • Finalists: Adrien Piercy, Whitney Novak, David Barclay
  • Best Brief: Whitney Novak and David Barclay
  • Second Brief: Aubrey Wilson and Adrien Piercy

2012 Foulston Siefkin Prizes for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy:

  • Best Oral Advocate: Trent Byquist
  • Finalists: Rachel Nelson, Brianna Harris, Britt Lagemann
  • Best Brief: Bruno Simoes and Ryan Thornton
  • Second Brief: Trent Byquist and Rachel Nelson

2011 Foulston Siefkin Prizes for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy:

  • Best Oral Advocate: Rachel Sherck
  • Finalists: Jared Holloway, Jill Moenius, Eddie Penner
  • Best Brief: Evan Jarrold and Sean Foley
  • Second Brief: Rachel Sherck and Jared Holloway