Appellate Advocacy

The award-winning Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University Appellate Moot Court Board (AMCB) is a student-run organization devoted to the development of excellence in legal advocacy. The AMCB requires the highest standards of academic excellence and personal integrity in order to earn and maintain membership. Students leave the program with new legal research, writing, and advocacy skills.

Trial Advocacy

Duquesne Kline School of Law also offers a nationally recognized Trial Advocacy program that seeks to prepare students to be courtroom-ready advocates. Through comprehensive coursework and competition experience, students develop skills in case analysis, trial preparation, effective communication, witness preparation, and case presentation.

Each year, the students participate in regional and national competitions across the country. With more than 15 years of program excellence, the list of Duquesne's trial advocacy wins is extensive.

CourtCall Award

Among the honors presented to graduating students is the CourtCall Award, which recognizes an outstanding performance in advocacy. One student is selected by the faculty advisors from each of our trial and appellate advocacy competitors. Eligible students are those who have have participated with distinction in an extra-mural competition.

For trial moot court competitors, such distinction may be manifested by a competition advocacy award for the individual or through team recognition at an extra-mural event. For appellate moot court competitors, such distinction may also be based on special distinction at an extra-mural event based upon brief writing or other significant written submission. Special consideration for the CourtCall award includes ethical integrity and team work by the student.