Dean’s Cup Competition
The Dean’s Cup Competition is an appellate advocacy competition at the LSU Law Center in which students compete individually over the course of the entire spring semester for the right to claim the Dean’s Cup. The competition simulates oral argument before the United States Supreme Court in a series of three real, currently-pending United States Supreme Court cases. Competitors will be provided the parties’ briefs, the decision of the court below, and other relevant documents, and will compete in oral arguments through a series of individual elimination brackets. Competitors are not required to submit written briefs.
The Dean’s Cup Competition is open to members of the second and third-year classes and LLM candidates.
2022 Dean’s Cup Competition
2022 Competition Dates:
- Competitor Registration Period: February 14-March 2
- Preliminary Round 1: Monday, March 7 between 6 and 10 pm
- Preliminary Round 2: Wednesday, March 9, between 6 and 10 pm
- Quarterfinal Round: Wednesday, March 16, between 6 and 10 pm
- Semifinal Round: Monday, March 21, between 6 and 10 pm
- Final Round: Monday, March 28, between 6 and 10 pm
Competition Rules and Registration:
- 2022 Dean’s Cup Rules and Procedures
- 2022 Dean’s Cup Competitor Registration Form – registration closes March 2 at 5 pm!
Case #1 (Preliminary Rounds): Ruan v. United States, No. 20-1410
- Questions Presented
- Opinion Below: United States v. Ruan, 966 F.3d 1101 (11th Cir. 2020)
- Brief on the Merits for Petitioner
- Brief on the Merits for Respondent
- Amici Curiae and Other Documents (optional)
Case #2 (Quarterfinal and Semifinal Rounds): Golan v. Saada, No. 20-1034
- Questions Presented
- Opinion Below: Saada v. Golan, 930 F.3d 533 (2d Cir. 2019)
- Brief on the Merits for Petitioner
- Brief on the Merits for Respondent
- Amici Curiae and Other Documents (optional)
Case #3 (Final Round): Shurtleff v. City of Boston, No. 20-1800
- Questions Presented
- Opinion Below: Shurtleff v. City of Bos., 986 F.3d 78 (1st Cir. 2021)
- Brief on the Merits for Petitioner
- Brief on the Merits for Respondent
- Amici Curiae and Other Documents (optional)
General Resources:
- Guide for Counsel in Cases To Be Argued Before the Supreme Court of the United States
- Rule 28 (Oral Argument) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Federal Rule of Evidence 201 (Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts)
Prior Dean’s Cup Winners:
- 2021: David Judd
- 2020: Juan Moreno
- 2019: J. William VanDehei
- 2018: Ahmed Soussi
- 2017: Alaina Richard
- 2016: Andrew Hairston
- 2015: J. Benjamin Aguiñaga
- 2014: Danielle Borel
- 2013: Christopher Cummings