The Murray S. Love Competition, administered by the Moot Court Board, takes place during the spring semester. While there are no academic prerequisites, many students prefer to take Evidence before competing in Murray S. Love. Interested students are strongly encouraged to compete in Murray S. Love during their second year, especially if they take Evidence in the fall semester. However, third-year and LLM students are also welcome to participate.
Students compete in teams of two, delivering opening and closing statements and conducting direct examination and cross-examination of witnesses (including making evidentiary objections) in a mock case. Each trial runs approximately one hour.
Competition Requirements
To earn one academic credit, participants must complete at least two rounds or demonstrate that they have met the 42.5 hours required for the activity credit. Those who do not advance on merit beyond the first round can still receive credit but must if asked, serve as a witness, bailiff, or any other supportive capacity in a subsequent round. The current Moot Court Board Executive Chair must certify activity credit hours. There is no registration fee to compete.
Registration information appears on TWEN and in the E-Docket early in the spring semester. The competition will have a web-based course page, and once registered, competitors should consult it for rules, schedules, etc.
For the Winners
The two teams who make it to the final round in the Murray S. Love receive a monetary prize of $1,000 per competitor and recognition in the graduation program. The two members of the winning team receive the Murray S. Love Award and, if 2Ls, qualify automatically to serve on the subsequent year’s Mock Trial Team, which will send groups of students to represent Pitt Law in various external competitions. These include the Allegheny County Academy of Trial Lawyers Mock Trial Competition, the AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition, and the Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition.
Murray S. Love
Murray S. Love graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1954 and was a distinguished trial attorney in the Pittsburgh area. After his untimely death, his friends, family, and law firm created a fund to underwrite a mock trial competition in his memory. Murray Love's widow, Patty Love Anouchi, and nephew, Paul Supowitz, continue to support the school and competition. The first Murray S. Love Mock Trial Competition took place in 1981.