Quote from Students and Faculty
Mahogane Reed
Class of 2016
"When comparing law schools, I was extremely concerned about not only the quality of my legal education, but also the amount of money I would end up paying for that education. I was accepted to multiple schools all over the country but stuck with LSU because I will graduate with a smaller amount of debt and will have received an excellent education."
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 only.
2020 Dean’s Cup Competition
Competition Rules and Registration:
- 2020 Dean’s Cup Competition Rules
- Dean’s Cup Competition Scoresheet
- Registration for the 2020 Dean’s Cup Competition has closed.
2020 Dean’s Cup Dates:
- Preliminary Rounds (Case #1): March 9, 10, and 11, 2020
- Quarterfinal Rounds (Case #2): March 16, 2020
- Semifinal Rounds (Case #2): March 18, 2020
- Final Round (Case #3): March 23, 2020
2020 Dean’s Cup Cases:
- Case #1 (Preliminary Rounds): Torres v. Madrid, No. 19-292
- Case #2 (Quarterfinal & Semifinal Rounds): United States Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com B.V., No. 19-46
- Case #3 (Final Round): Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, No. 18-1195
General Resources:
- Guide for Counsel in Cases To Be Argued Before the Supreme Court of the United States
- Rules of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Federal Rule of Evidence 201 (Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts)
Prior Dean’s Cup Winners:
- 2019: J. William VanDehei
- 2018: Ahmed Soussi
- 2017: Alaina Richard
- 2016: Andrew Hairston
- 2015: J. Benjamin Aguiñaga
- 2014: Danielle Borel
- 2013: Christopher Cummings
