Primer on Organizing Moot Court Teams for the Duberstein Competition

Since 1996, Mississippi's two law schools have sent teams to the Judge Conrad B. Duberstein

Moot Court Competition, co-sponsored by ABI and St. John's University School of Law. The

participation of the schools was made possible by the Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference Inc.

(MBC), a non-profit organization of insolvency professionals. In recent years, MBC has donated

$3,000 per team to the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson and the University of

Mississippi Law School in Oxford. Both schools have been very successful in the Duberstein

Competition.

Other bankruptcy bar groups have followed the Mississippi model and organized moot court

teams for their law schools. For the 1999 competition, a record 22 teams participated, a

number of which were sponsored by local or state bankruptcy bar groups. Participation in the

Duberstein Competition is a highly rewarding experience, not only for the students‹and future

practitioners‹but for those who help the students reach the competition. A winning game plan

for successfully organizing a Duberstein moot court team follows.

1. Raise the money first. It is difficult for law schools to fund another moot court competition

   from the law school's already-stretched budget. Therefore, it is best to seek outside funding

   first from the bar. The Mississippi law schools have found the $3,000-per-team financial

   commitment from the MBC to be adequate.

2. Identify a bankruptcy professor. In order to obtain the support from the law school

   administration and students, it is important to find a bankruptcy professor who is interested in

   committing time to the Duberstein Competition. With the funding in hand, the bankruptcy

   professor can meet with the appropriate members of the law school administration. Once

   approved, the bankruptcy professor can determine the best method for selecting which students

   will compete.

3. Bar support. Once the law school decides to accept the funding and participate in the

   Duberstein Competition, it is important for the local bankruptcy practitioners to become

   involved and assist the bankruptcy professor in coaching the team and judging practice rounds.

   In Mississippi, attorneys in Oxford and Jackson have assisted the two law schools. The practice

   culminates in a face-off between the University of Mississippi team and the Mississippi College

   team. This year, Hon. David W. Houston III (N.D. Miss.), Hon. Edward Ellington (S.D.

   Miss.) and Hon. Edward R. Gaines (S.D. Miss.) judged an intrastate competition held at the

   Mississippi Supreme Court, and MBC members were invited to attend. The students enjoyed the

   competition and received some valuable comments from these bankruptcy judges.

This type of partnership between bankruptcy practitioners and law schools enhances the

standing of bankruptcy law as an academic subject and a practice area. Use this tested game plan

and organize a team in your community. You will find the experience most rewarding.