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.
2023 Desmond Competition Schedule
Student Registration:
Wednesday, August 30 - Monday, September 11
Problem Release: Friday, September 15
Substantive Questions via email:
Friday, September 15 – Saturday, October 14 at 9:00 p.m.
Appellate Briefs Due:
Sunday, October 15 at 9:00 p.m.
Oral Argument Schedule Emailed by:
Tuesday, October 24
Oral Arguments:
- Thursday, October 26 starting 4 p.m.;
- Friday, October 27 starting 4p.m.;
- Saturday, October 28 @ TBD
Final Round:
- Saturday, October 28 at 4:00 p.m. – Francis M. Letro Courtroom
Awards:
- Saturday, October 28 at 6:00 p.m. – Cellino & Barnes Conference Center
Buffalo Moot Court Board Leadership
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.