Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition
The 24th Annual Leroy R. Hassell Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition will be held Thursday, November 21 through Saturday, November 23, 2024. Details regarding the competition problem will be released this Summer.
This annual competition is named in honor of the late former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Chief Justice Hassell dedicated his life to the fight for justice for the Commonwealth’s citizens. During his distinguished career, the former Chief Justice championed constitutional rights. He was a leader in equality becoming the first African American Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Hassell was a close friend of Regent University School of Law. He served as a member of the Regent University School of Law Board of Visitors and as our Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence. A model of professionalism and excellence, the Chief Justice regularly exhorted our students to work hard, to do justice, and have faith to achieve their dreams. He was a true inspiration to students and faculty alike.
Important Dates
Competition & Banquet Registration:
Monday, July 1
Release of Competition Problem:
Thursday, August 15
Registration Deadline:
Thursday, August 15
Rule or Problem Interpretation Request Deadline:
Thursday, September 12
Brief Submission Deadline:
Monday, October 21
Competition:
Thursday, November 21 – Saturday, November 23
Note: Teams are prohibited from reviewing briefs filed in court cases.
Hassell Team Brief Submission
The Regent University School of Law hosted the 21st Annual Leroy R. Hassell Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition in a virtual format October 14-16, 2021. Thirty-eight teams from 25 law schools competed, with Stetson University College of Law taking home first place and Southwestern Law School finishing second. South Texas College of Law received the Best Brief award, and William & Mary Law School was recognized as Best Oralist.
This year, competitors analyzed and argued thorny constitutional criminal procedure issues under the Fifth Amendment. The Honorable Albert (“Al”) Diaz, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, was the final panel’s presiding judge. Both teams displayed a mastery of both oral advocacy and legal knowledge, earning high praises from a distinguished panel of judges that included:
- Judge David Sentelle, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- Judge Kenneth Starr, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (retired)
- Judge Kyle Duncan, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- Judge William Webb, Magistrate, U.S. District Court for the E.D.N.C. (retired)
- Chief Justice Jeff Bivins, Supreme Court of Tennessee
- Justice Cleo Powell, Supreme Court of Virginia
- Judge April Wood, Court of Appeals of North Carolina
- Justice Elizabeth Lang-Miers, Court of Appeals of Texas (retired)
The following is a list of important dates for the Competition. Please check this schedule as it may be updated periodically, and the times listed are subject to change. All times are Eastern Standard.
Thursday, November 17, 2022
| 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Registration |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Preliminary Round 1 (heat A) |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Preliminary Round 1 (heat B) |
Friday, November 18, 2022
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Bye Round (if needed if odd number of teams) |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Preliminary Round 2 (heat A) |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Preliminary Round 2 (heat B) |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Banquet |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Octofinal |
Saturday, November 19, 2022
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. | Quarterfinal |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Semifinal |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Final |