The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition is an appellate advocacy competition sponsored annually by the NAPABA Law Foundation, an IRC § 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable, and educational affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). The purpose of this Competition is to help law students develop advocacy skills and to foster legal talents of the future.
The Competition was founded in 1993 and is named in honor of the late Honorable Thomas Tang, a respected jurist who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1977 until his passing in 1995. Judge Tang’s decisions during his more than eighteen years on the Ninth Circuit reflected his strong commitment to civil rights for all people. Judge Tang was known for his kindness and warmth, and the leadership role he played in the Asian Pacific American legal community. He provided tremendous support to NAPABA and its activities, including the creation of this national moot court competition. In 2022, the competition was renamed The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition, in recognition of Dr. Pearl Tang, Judge Tang’s wife.
2024 Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition
ONLINE ENTRY FEE
The 2024 Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition will have in-person and virtual options for regionals, and an in-person National Competition coinciding with the 2024 NAPABA Convention in Seattle, Washington on November 8-9, 2024.
(New in 2024) SPONSORED TEAMS: This year we are encouraging local NAPABA Affiliates and National Associates to sponsor moot court teams, including providing support by paying registration fees for teams, providing coaching on written and oral advocacy skills, and paying for students’ travel to compete in regional and national competitions. Each law school is limited to two teams. Local NAPABA Affiliates and National Associates are not limited in the number of teams they may sponsor. Students are encouraged to reach out to local NAPABA Affiliates and National Associates to obtain support from sponsors. Please note: attorneys and/or judges who coach law students may not judge the moot court competition in the same year.
The registration fee is $500.00 per UNSPONSORED team. The registration fee is $750.00 per SPONSORED team.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Registration is not yet open for the 2024 Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition. Please be sure to check back in the future for updates on when registration will open during summer 2024. This is the 31st anniversary of an annual tradition that fosters crucial advocacy skills among law students nationwide.
(New in 2024) Registration Requirements: This year students will need to satisfy two requirements in order to compete:
1) Each competitor must be a member of an Asian American/Pacific Islander bar association (e.g. APALSA chapter at a law school, NAPALSA, NAPABA, a NAPABA local affiliate, South Asian Bar Association, Korean American Bar Association, etc.); and
2) Each competitor is required to submit a short written statement (no more than 150 words) addressing the legacy and/or impact of Dr. Pearl Tang and/or Judge Thomas Tang on the competitor personally and describing the competitor’s commitment to supporting the Asian American/Pacific Islander community in the future.
Each law school is limited to two teams. The number of teams in the competition may be limited, so early registration is highly recommended.
Teams will be able to choose between online and in-person regional competitions. Regional Competitions will be held on the following dates, subject to possible changes at the discretion of the National Committee:
Regional 1 in-person in Dallas, Texas: Friday, September 20, 2024
Regional 2 in person in Los Angeles, California: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Regional 3 in-person in New York, New York: Friday, September 27, 2024
Regional 4, virtual on Zoom: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Teams should be prepared to argue both sides. Petitioner/Respondent assignments will be provided before the first preliminary round.
NATIONAL COMPETITION FINALS
At least twelve teams will advance to Nationals. Regional Champions will qualify automatically, with the remaining advancing teams to be determined by the National Committee according to the top scores in written briefs and oral advocacy. All national competition oral arguments will be heard in person on Friday, November 8, 2024, and Saturday, November 9, 2024, in Seattle, Washington.
The national competition oral arguments will be judged by panels of federal and state judges. The National Final Round argument will be followed by an awards reception gala. All competitors and supporters are welcome to attend.
We will award $10,000 in scholarships to the top winners in brief writing and oral advocacy.
Online entry fees are preferred. Checks can be sent to:
NAPABA Law Foundation
C/O The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court
1612 K Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
Official Sponsor of the 2023 Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition
