Moot Court Teaches 2L Marin Cummings to Effectively Argue Both Sides of Cases

A portrait of Marin Cummings with the San Francisco Civic Center in the background.

By presenting petitioner and respondent arguments in UC Law SF’s Moot Court program, 2L Marin Cummings further developed her oral advocacy confidence and gained invaluable networking opportunities with field specialists.

2L student Marin Cummings gained networking connections, leadership experience, and advocacy skills in UC Law SF’s top-ranked Moot Court program.   

  • Learned to research issues and hone arguments on both sides of issues for appellate cases in national competitions. 
  • Developed written and oral argument skills crucial for an aspiring public defender. 
  • Coached other Moot Court students and provided substantive and stylistic feedback on their arguments. 

2L Marin Cummings: 

Last semester, I competed on a team in the Claude Pepper Elder Law Moot Court Competition. I researched Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and Americans with Disability Act (ADA) issues with my Moot Court partner.  

We drafted a brief outlining our position on the appellate case and submitted it to the competition. Then, we prepared for oral arguments for the side we briefed and the opposing side. In mid-November, we flew to Tallahassee, Florida, and competed in rounds of mock appellate argument. Professors, practitioners, and sitting judges evaluated our knowledge and presentation as if we were actually before the Supreme Court.  

It was fascinating to alternate between presenting petitioner and respondent arguments across rounds, having to counter positions we had previously advocated for.  

I learned how much preparation goes into even 10-minute arguments and the importance of adjusting your points to address the questions and concerns of your audience. It was especially valuable to speak with employment lawyers about our case and receive feedback. We were fielding questions that courts are currently grappling with today.  

This semester, I joined the Moot Court Board and coached a team competing in the Gender + Sexuality Moot Court Competition for a Title IV and Equal Protection Clause problem. The role required understanding the case law thoroughly enough to effectively coach the competitors on how to substantively argue both sides. 

As a coach, I planned training sessions to prepare competitors for what they would face at the competition. Since this was a virtual competition, we incorporated video conferencing etiquette to ensure arguments remain compelling in that format. They finished the competition as quarterfinalists and were the second-highest scoring team at the end of the preliminary rounds.  

Supporting Career Goals 

Moot Court teaches students not only how to write effective briefs and deliver engaging arguments, but also how to master a new area of law in just a few months. There are many opportunities to observe teams practicing for competitions and to assist in their preparation. Additionally, most competitions invite field specialists to speak and judge rounds, providing valuable networking opportunities.   

I went to law school to become a public defender, which means I’ll spend most of my time in courtrooms. Moot Court has helped me develop into a more confident and convincing oral advocate.  

In my first practice, I had all the information from writing the brief but struggled to articulate why our side was best supported by the facts and law. With each session, I grew more comfortable at the podium. By our first competition round, I was more excited than nervous. Throughout the competition, my teammate and I received compliments on our knowledge of case law and poise when answering questions.  

A Special Experience 

UC Law SF’s commitment to hands-on learning extends through the school’s many opportunities, and the College has one of the top-ranked moot court programs in the country. Law school is what you make of it, and UC Law SF and Moot Court provide abundant opportunities to grow both as a community member and as a future attorney. 

The Evidence of Success series highlights UC Law SF students as they share how the college’s opportunities equip them with the experience, skills, and confidence to excel in the legal profession.