2025 Moot Madness Tournament

The Moot Madness Tournament, presented by Pre-Law Services, is a one-night "speed debate" tournament open to any Ohio State undergraduate student who is considering a career in law as well as anyone who enjoys bracket tournaments generally!

Utilizing the style of moot court or "appellate advocacy" and an easy-to-access legal issue, each team will be given 5 minutes to present your side's argument in front of an individual judge or panel of judges (this is different from mock trial - there's no jury in an appellate court so no questioning of witnesses).  Win your argument and advance to the next round!  From a field of 16 to an eventual champion, the entire tournament will take approximately 2 1/2 hours including an award ceremony with several prizes!

Up to 16 teams will compete in front of friends, fans, and others in the Ohio State community - win and advance to the next round!  Teams which are eliminated will continue to particpate as "fans in the stands".

In addition to the competitors, students will have an opportunity to volunteer as a bailiff (sign up below) or simply participate as a fan - fill out your bracket then show up to support your favorite team by dressing in their team colors, bringing signs or other "team gear", and cheering them to victory!

Ready to sign up as a competitor?

• Sign up with the Competitor Google form as a team of 4 (or as a pair in which case you will be placed with another pair to make a full team).
• All competitors will be provided with all necessary information after Spring Break and will be provided an opportunity to schedule a coaching session with a current law student and will be asked to attend a Zoom meeting to learn about tournament logistics.
• Deadline to register your team is Friday, March 7th.

Interested in volunteering as a bailiff?

• Sign up using the Volunteer Google form.
• All volunteers will be provided with all necessary information after Spring Break and will be asked to attend a Zoom planning meeting to learn about tournament logistics and confirm roles, rooms, and responsibilities.
• Deadline to sign up as a volunteer is Friday March 21st.

Planning to attend as a fan?

• There is no need to sign-up.
• Brackets will be available after Spring Break along with instructions on how to submit your bracket entry (1 per fan).
• Be prepared to be at the tournament site (Drinko Hall) by 6:30pm on Thu Apr 3 after which the doors to the building will be locked.

All competitors and volunteers will need to be on-site 30 minutes before the tournament begins on Thu Apr 3 (6pm for a 6:30pm start) and continue to participate through the conclusion of the awards presentation (estimated to be 8:30pm).