Other Experiential Student Learning Opportunities

Students in Courtroom

Your years at Carolina Law will take you far beyond the books.

In addition to academic opportunities like clinics and externships and volunteer opportunities through the Pro Bono Program, we offer numerous extracurricular trial advocacy, moot court and mock trial programs to ensure you have the practical experience you need for a successful legal career.

Mock Trial Team

The Broun National Trial Team (BNTT) provides you with an unparalleled opportunity to develop and showcase your trial advocacy skills. Trained BNTT members compete annually in several of the most competitive and well-recognized mock trial tournaments across the country. At these tournaments, teams of students simulate jury trials by presenting each side of a civil or criminal case against teams from other schools. You’ll argue motions, examine witnesses, and deliver opening and closing statements before panels of practicing judges and trial attorneys who provide feedback after each round of competition. You’ll also meet and work with professors and attorneys in preparation for each competition.

Moot Court Teams

As a member of one of 15 moot court teams, you’ll draft briefs and present oral arguments before federal and state justices and judges as you travel to local, regional and national competitions. Our students bring home trophies and medals at every level, attesting to the skills they have developed in some of the most difficult challenges in the country. You’ll also participate in an annual friendly moot court competition with barristers-in-training from the Middle Temple Society in London.

Trial Advocacy

Our trial advocacy program puts students through all the major steps of civil and criminal trials under the guidance of outstanding practitioners. We videotape your first opening arguments and cross-examinations and suggest ways to strengthen and refine them. Professors help you flesh out your case and encourage and critique you as they work your way to a trial before live jurors.

Transition to Practice Courses

We offer upper-level courses that give second- and third-year students the unique opportunity to explore topics more deeply and apply what they’ve learned to real-world problems. These dynamic courses covering a broad range of legal topics including media law, intellectual property, biotechnology and human rights, require students to play the role of lawyer and defend their clients’ interests in ways traditional courses do not. Examples include: