Charles Hamilton Houston National Moot Court Team

Charles Hamilton Houston was one of the most important civil rights attorneys in American history. A lawyer, in his view, was an agent for social change—“either a social engineer or a parasite on society.” In 1958, the main building of the Howard University School of Law was dedicated as Charles Hamilton Houston Hall. His significance became more broadly known through the success of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and after the 1983 publication of Genna Rae McNeil’s Groundwork: Charles Hamilton Houston and the Struggle for Civil Rights. He also served as an inspiration and mentor to Judge William Hastie, Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Jr., Judge Spottswood William Robinson, III, James Nabrit Jr., and Oliver Hill. All of whom were leading legal scholars of their day and dedicated their careers to the fight for equality for all. Charles Houston served as Dean of Howard University School of Law from 1929 to 1935, during which time he shaped the school into a significant institution, training almost a quarter of the nation’s black law students. He focused on civil rights law, a subject that was not part of the curriculum of America’s law schools. The Charles Hamilton Houston National Moot Court Team is named in honor of Mr. Houston because of his role as the mastermind behind the brilliant strategy that attacked the “separate but equal doctrine,” which led to the destruction of legal segregation. In the words of Thurgood Marshall, “we owe it all to Charlie.”

HONORING OUR HISTORY

Each year, the Charles Hamilton Houston National Moot Court team hosts our annual William B. Bryant-Luke C. Moore Invitational Moot Court Competition.

The Bryant-Moore Competition is in honor of the Honorable William B. Bryant and the Honorable Luke Charles Moore. Judge Bryant, a 1936 graduate of Howard Law, became the first African American Chief Justice of the U.S. District of the District of Columbia.

President Kennedy appointed Judge Moore a Chief U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, making him the first African-American to serve in that capacity since Frederick Douglass. Then, President Nixon appointed Judge Moore to the Superior Court where he became a senior judge. The Bryant-Moore competition is dedicated to honoring both Judge Bryant’s and Judge Moore’s legacies. 

News and Announcements

Bryant Moore Competition Dates: 

Bryant Moore Competition Dates:  February 21-22, 2025

Registration is now open for the Bryant Moore Competition and will remain open from now until Nov. 22 (or until we reach 20 teams). Registration is not complete until payment is received.

Registration form

More details, such as the official problem release date and deadlines, will be forthcoming. Tentatively, the problem will be released the first week of December. Please contact HUSL.bryantmoore@gmail.com with any questions.

Competition Fees: 

One Team: $600 | Two Teams: $800

Payment Information: 

Checks must be made out to:
Charles Hamilton Houston National Moot Court Team - Acct. No. R201369

All checks should be mailed out to:

Howard University School of Law
c/o CHH National Moot Court Team
2900 Van Ness Street, N.W.
Notre Dame Hall, Room 319
Washington, D.C. 20008

If an alternative payment method is needed or if you have any questions please contact HUSL.bryantmoore@gmail.com.
 

2019-2020 Team Achievements

• Semifinalists - D.C. Cup Moot Court Competition Team

2016-2017 Team Achievements

• First place – William E. McGee National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition
• Second place – D.C. Cup Moot Court Competition Team
• Semifinalists and winners of second best brief - Global Antitrust Institute Invitational Competition
• Semifinalists out of forty-four teams – John J. Gibbons National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition Team
• Quaterfinalists – Harold H. Greene & Joyce Hens Green National Security Law Moot Court Competition
• Advanced to Octofinals – Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition
• Finished in the top sixteen – J. Braxton Craven, Jr. Memorial Competition

2015-2016 Team Achievements

• Semifinalist - 2016 D.C. Cup Moot Court Competition 
• 3rd Best Oralist - McGee Moot Court Competition (out of 55 oralists)
  • Quarterfinalist - McGee Moot Court Competition
• Best Oralist - National Telecommunications Bar Association Moot Court Competition 
• Fourth Place Brief - J. Braxton Craven, Jr. Memorial Moot Court Competition
  • Quarterfinalist - J. Braxton Craven, Jr. Memorial Moot Court Competition

2014-2015 Team Achievements

• Best Appellee Brief & Runner-up Best Brief Overall - 2015 Global Antitrust Institute Invitational Moot Court Competition
• 2015 Global Antitrust Institute Invitational Moot Court Competition

2013-2014 Team Achievements

• Best Oralist – 2013 Tulane University Law School National Sports Law Competition
• Professionalism Award – 2013 Charles School of Law National Moot Court Competition