The Harlan Institute is pleased to announce the Fourteenth 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, in honor of America's 250th Anniversary, the competition will focus on the case of Patriots v. Loyalists.
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
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:
- Should the United Colonies declare independence from Great Britain?
The lesson plan includes all of the instructions.
Please review the winning submissions from previous years:
- 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. in a very special location at the end of April or beginning of May. The Harlan Institute will cover airfare and hotel for the students and up to two chaperones per team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBPlhZGX01k&ab_channel=JoshBlackman
https://youtu.be/EsCp4OI-Uqs?si=f9PkGvJIuX2Vl5V0
Please send any questions to info@harlaninstitute.org.