Questions concerning a legal challenge to a public university's affirmative action policy—which aims to increase the number of women in law enforcement and national security—will be debated by students at the American Moot Court Association's Eastern Regional tournament on November 21 and 22 at Fitchburg State University.
The hypothetical case this year has a second issue, addressing the First Amendment rights of public employees. In this instance, an adjunct professor's contract is not renewed after he speaks out against the policy.
Students competing in moot court argue both sides of a hypothetical legal case before panels of judges, simulating an appellate court proceeding.
Professor Paul I. Weizer of the university’s Economics, History and Political Science Department has coached the university’s Moot Court program since its inception. The program has a strong history of sending teams to advanced rounds of the national tournament, including high scores for students drafting legal briefs on the case before them.
Fitchburg State is one of 17 regionals held nationwide.
“Fitchburg has been a longtime host and is always happy to welcome top competition from around the country to our campus,” said Weizer.
The list of schools competing in this regional include: Bentley University, Cal-State Fullerton, Cal-State Long Beach, College of the Holy Cross, Emerson College, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Liberty University, Marist University, Merrimack College, University of Pennsylvania, and Western Connecticut State University.
“Students will argue before real judges and lawyers in this competition, demonstrating the ability to present a multifaceted, complex legal argument, to think on their feet, to respond to questions, and to respond under duress,” said Weizer.
Senior Michael Burns, a history major with a minor in political journalism, says that he’s extremely excited to be able to represent Fitchburg State in this competition.
“As a student-athlete, I usually use the pride I have for the school and the comradery for my team to push me to perform at my best, and it's very similar in Moot Court,” said Burns, who is a four-year member of the cross country and track programs. “The path that the whole team has been on since the beginning of the semester is one I couldn't imagine myself getting so far down.”
Burns said that he’s sharpened his abilities in legal briefings and important case law, but more importantly he’s learned how to bring hours of legal research and turn it into 10 minutes of arguments.
“We have great coaches who pepper questions in a way that makes all of the team members a tough foe to come across in the regional competition,” said Burns.
Maggie Bourgeois, a senior majoring in political science with a concentration in American government/law, and a minor in international studies, said that competing in Moot Court allows her to spend a vast amount of time creating an argument that she will have to defend.
“By competing against other students and practicing these arguments in class, I have gained confidence in public speaking that I did not have at the start of my Moot Court experience,” said Bourgeois. “In competing against other schools during the tournament, it reaffirms my passion of pursuing a career in legal advocacy, and affirms I am just as capable as other peers from different schools. This process has given me the ability to hold myself accountable to continuously improving outside of the classroom. Furthermore, I have learned to be proud of the effort you make to prepare yourself for competition day.”
This is the 25th year of Moot Court at Fitchburg State, and there will be a Falcon reunion from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at Hammond Hall’s Falcon Hub. Attendees may register online at https://alumni.fitchburgstate.edu/e/moot-court-25th-anniversary-reunion/.
“We have an impressive record of success over the years at both the regional and national levels,” said Weizer. “Many of our alumni have gone on to careers in law and related fields. I look forward to welcoming many of them back for the 25th anniversary celebration.”
Learn more about the tournament, and view the full text of this year’s case problem, at https://www.amcamootcourt.org/about.