The Harlan Institute is pleased to announce the Fifteenth Annual Virtual Supreme Court Competition. This competition offers teams of two high school students the opportunity to research cutting-edge constitutional law, write persuasive appellate briefs, argue against other students through video chats, and try to persuade a panel of esteemed attorneys during oral argument that their side is correct. This year, the competition will focus on the pending case of Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District. The competition is endorsed by the Center for Civic Education’s We The People Competition:

The Virtual Supreme Court Competition helps students gain the skills they need to understand, synthesize, and advocate for reasoned legal positions on timely and relevant constitutional issues, and in doing so deepens their commitment to the rule of law. The program directly supports the highest goals of the Center for Civic Education to develop enlightened and responsible members of our society, and it is a privilege to be a part of this important work. Christopher R. Riano Former President, The Center for Civic Education Member Board of Advisors, The Harlan Institute

Tournament Instructions

Teams of two high-school students will answer questions, present oral argument, and write briefs addressing the following question:

• Whether the original meaning of the establishment clause forbids a state from mandating the permanent, conspicuous display of a government-selected version of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.

The lesson plan includes all of the instructions. Please register at the Institute for Competition Sciences. Please review the winning submissions from previous years:

• OT2025: Patriots v. Loyalists
• OT 2024 – Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton
• OT 2023 – Moody v. NetChoice
• OT 2022 – Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard
• OT 2021 – New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen
• OT 2020 – Torres v. Madrid
• OT 2019 – Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue
• OT 2018 – Timbs v. Indiana
• OT 2017 – Carpenter v. United States
• OT 2016 – Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer
• OT 2015 – Abigail Fisher v. University of Texas, Austin (II)
• OT 2014 – Zivotofsky v. Kerry
• OT 2013 – National Labor Relations Board v. Noel Canning
• OT 2012 – Abigail Fisher v. University of Texas, Austin (I)

This video offers five tips to prepare for oral argument:

Championship Round

The top two teams will advance to the Championship round which will be held in Washington, D.C. at the Georgetown Supreme Court Institute on March 11 or 12, 2027. The Harlan Institute will cover airfare and hotel for the students and up to two chaperones per team.  

Please send any questions to info@harlaninstitute.org.