What is the Wabash College Moot Court?

Wabash College's Fall Moot Court competition offers Wabash students an excellent opportunity to engage in legal argumentation with training and support from fellow Wabash Alumni who are now practicing attorneys.

Students are given materials and coaching necessary for arguing a hypothetical case before a panel of judges. Competition comes from fellow students who are assigned the opposing argument. Prior legal knowledge or experience is not necessary for participation. The event is geared for undergraduates and research materials are prepared and distributed to each participant. In addition, tutoring sessions run by practicing attorneys are provided for those interested.

In short, this is a great opportunity to add to your resume, gain experience, and meet/work with Wabash Alumni.

The Fall 2012 case involves the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act’s denial of federal economic and other benefits to same-sex couples lawfully married in states that recognize same-sex marriage and the denial of benefits to surviving spouses from such marriages. As such the case addresses issues of equal protection and the Tenth Amendment while examining the right of Congress to undercut the choices made by same-sex couples and by individual states in deciding who can be married to whom.