The Desmond Competition
For over three decades, this intramural competition gives participants the opportunity to argue a constitutional law case related to matters currently pending before the United States Supreme Court.
The Charles S. Desmond Moot Court Competition is the most prestigious appellate advocacy competition at the law school, attracting several local lawyers and judges to volunteer their time as judges. Accomplished lawyers from Western New York and law school professors judge competitors’ oral arguments in the preliminary and semi-final rounds, while federal and state judges evaluate the finalists. Competitors also submit a written brief formatted using the rules to the United States Supreme Court.
Organized by the School of Law's Buffalo Moot Court Board, the Desmond competition is one of the most popular courtroom competitions the school offers. The competition is open to all second-and third-year law students annually.
2024 Desmond Competition
Important Dates
Registration Period: Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 at 9:00 p.m.
Problem Release: Sept. 6 at 12:00 p.m.
Question Period: Sept. 6 to Sept. 27
Brief Due Date: by Oct. 9 at 9:00 p.m.
Competition Dates: Oct. 24 to Oct. 25
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Competition Schedule:
Thursday, Oct. 24
- Round 1: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Round 2: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 25
- Semi Finals: 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
- Finals: 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Buffalo Moot Court Board Leadership
President: Katherine Kio
Vice-President: Tyler Myszka
Treasurer: Shelby MacSwan
Public Relations Directors: Sara Paltrowitz and Katherine Manuszewski
Desmond Competition Co-Chairs: TBA
Weschler Competition Co-Chairs: TBA
Faculty Adviser: Prof. Lucinda Finley
Contact: law-bmcb@buffalo.edu
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