There are many roads to become a law school heavy weight. Some set themselves apart as a member of law review, but for those that don’t like to sit in one place and edit all day, there is an alternative, Moot Court Competitions. What makes a stellar Moot Court Champion? What are the ultimate trial competition secrets?

Visual Aids: A Must or a Bust?

A number of items have power in a court room as well as in a trial competition. However, some visual aids if abused will bore a panel of moot court judges to tears. So if you are preparing for a trial competition, it is important to utilize visual aids, carefully. For example, a clear list of elements to a crime may score you points in the competition; however, a sloppy handwritten mess will surely score you some deductions.

Next, a Power Point may be a powerful tool to bring onlookers into a crime scene or describe a complex topic, but a boring PowerPoint will captivate attention just long enough to put a moot court judge to sleep. If Power Points are allowed, make sure you are utilizing this tool to bring a person closer to the crime or violation. How? Well, one moot court hopeful added bloody pictures from a crime scene and photos of the victim engaged in their happy life before the criminal act. Further, some visual aids could help simplify complex ideas into easily understood concepts.

What is the best court visual aid? Some have said the murder weapon is the essential evidence. After marking the gun, establishing the chain of custody, and laying the foundation, the murder weapon can be entered into evidence. This tactic is a legitimate move that will win over those Moot Court judge’s with real world experience. Additionally, items that personalize a victim such as a teddy bear or something that was dear to a person before the incident, if utilized correctly, leaves an impression.

Despite all the tips above, some Moot Court competitions are closed competitions that prohibit the use of outside knowledge or visual aids. Although this does a great injustice to a law student’s education, it is important to follow the rules and ensure that any and all visual aids are approved.

Appearance, Appearance, Appearance

Yes, it is superficial. Yes, you have better things to spend your money on. Yes, you will get points knocked off your score if you fail to dress to impress. Some law students have lost trial competitions for having a wrinkled shirt, an unbuttoned jacket, or the “wrong” shoes. Although this may seem harsh, when an attorney is presenting before a jury, his/her wardrobe must not be a distraction.

For example, if a jury member can’t stop focusing on your mismatched shoes, how is he going to listen? Additionally, there is nobody on earth as critical as an attorney, and your moot court judges are attorneys. Invest in a solid suit. If you want to ensure that your moot court judge’s focus on your talent, make sure they are not distracted by your disheveled presence. Now, we are not saying it is the most important aspect of your competition because you can always change your wardrobe; however, it is important to avoid masking talent with a sloppy outfit.

Gesturing: Friend of Foe?

Okay, so we have all seen the Boston Legal styled hand gestures. Throughout movies and television shows, there is a constant storm of slapping the tables, pounding of the chest, and some very graphic hand gestures. However, a hand gesture is best used as a stylistic and tactical slap into the consciousness of your onlookers, not as a glorified look at me approach. What is the difference?

An impassioned competitor utilizes hand gestures when they are driving a point home or provoking an emotional response. If a competitor uses too many hand gestures the judges will stop taking a candidate seriously. It is important to walk the delicate line between over animated competitor and the boring stiff walking board approach. When some competitors start out, they don’t know what to do with their hands, so they end up not using gestures at all. It is significant not to let your gestures get the better of you. Who wants to look like a cartoon character in front of a judge? It is important to push past this nervousness without going into a full blown cartoon character advocacy mode.

What about the in between hand gesture pose? Okay, the in-between hand gesture pose could make or break a competitor. The in-between hand gesture will reveal whether a competitor is comfortable, nervous, or very strategic. This gesture is a personal signature for any competitor. Some trial gurus will make it a point of wearing a large ring and adjust the ring during that in-between time, other will have their hands in a relaxed position, some will clasp their hands behind their backs, others will have flat hands pressed against their legs, and some will craft a signature resting move. There is one hand gesture that all competitors should avoid: hands in the pockets!

Respect Your Judge

It is never too early to start building proper courtroom decorum. When you are operating in your judge’s territory, aka the courtroom, it is important to always be respectful. Being respectful does not mean being a doormat or failing to advocate for your client, in fact, being respectful in court will only bolster your case and highlight your skills. When you are advocating in a moot court competition, you ask the judge permission to approach the witness, the bench, etc . . . . These respectful practices score moot court competitors court room decorum points and reveal a knowledge of the process that some of your competitors will not possess. Regardless of your performance or any comments made during the competition, always thank your moot court judges at the closing of your competition.

So take some of these tips into your next Moot Court Competition and make sure you defeat the opposition.