William and Mary Moot Court

The William B. Spong Moot Court Tournament was named in honor of William B. Spong, Jr., an esteemed jurist and former Dean of the William and Mary School of Law. In memory of Dean Spong’s passion for the law and the William and Mary School of Law, the Spong Team strives to create an outstanding tournament each year. Every Spong tournament focuses on a timely, prominent, and interesting issue of constitutional law. In many instances, the factual scenarios and court opinions on which Spong problems are based subsequently appear before the United States Supreme Court. Recent problems have addressed issues of free speech, criminal procedure, prisoner rights, and affirmative action.

Spong is a truly unique tournament in that it is honored with the presence of many esteemed judges and justices from across the United States. Spong competitors are treated to panels of judges comprised of federal and state court of appeals judges, as well as federal district court judges. The Tournament also benefits from local practitioners, most of whom are members of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, a long-time supporter of Spong.

Spong competitors are of the highest quality and the judges of the competition consistently comment on the outstanding skill level demonstrated at the Tournament each year. The Spong Team extends invitations to compete to a limited number of United States law schools and are pleased to host approximately twenty-four to twenty-six teams each year.

The Tournament is held annually in mid-February, with two days of competition. The competitors argue in two preliminary rounds, followed by quarter-final and semi-final rounds. The two best teams argue in a final round, which is judged each year by a distinguished panel of nine judges and justices and which attempts to fully simulate an argument before the United States Supreme Court.

Each year the Spong Team strives to produce an exceptional moot court competition experience. Both the Spong Team and the William and Mary School of Law are continuously delighted to host the judges, justices, legal practitioners and competitors, and eagerly await every February.