Florida Bar High School Appellate Brief Writing & Moot Court Competition

Daniella Glebov and Jade Capella, American Heritage School, Broward, won the 2025-2026 competition. Click on the image to see video from the competition and learn more.

The Florida Bar High School Appellate Brief Writing & Moot Court Competition is a two-part program that offers a unique opportunity to learn about the appellate process. Students write briefs and are invited to present oral argument before appellate judges in each of the six District Courts of Appeal based on a fictitious case drafted by members of The Florida Bar Law Related Education Committee. The teams that make it to the semifinal round will argue before the First District Court of Appeal and the statewide final round is held at the Florida Supreme Court.

2026-2027 Competition

The registration and brief submission deadline will be Friday, January 15, 2027. Preliminary rounds will be held virtually March 3-5. Those advancing to the semifinals will present in-person arguments at the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee on Tuesday, April 6, with finalists presenting in-person arguments before the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee on Wednesday, April 7.

Volunteer to Coach a Team

The Law Related Education Committee is seeking Florida Bar members to serve as attorney coaches for student teams. While coaches must be barred in Florida, they do not need to reside or practice within the same district as the school they are assigned to.

Each coach will be matched with a participating school as registrations are received. Schools may register up to two teams, with each team consisting of two student competitors (a total of four students per school). Coaches will provide guidance on brief writing and conduct practice sessions to prepare students for oral arguments.

The expected time commitment is a few hours per week, with a flexible schedule coordinated directly with the school’s sponsor. Coaching may be conducted virtually or in person, depending on preference and availability. This is a rewarding opportunity to mentor aspiring legal professionals and support the next generation of advocates.