Client Counseling Competition
Client Counseling Competition Overview
The Client Counseling Competition simulates a law office consultation in which law students, acting as attorneys, are presented with a client matter. They conduct an interview with a person playing the role of the client and then explain how they would proceed further in the hypothetical situation. Students work in teams of two and advance as a team.
Competitors are also responsible for providing a person to act as their “client” for the opening rounds. The client can be anyone who is not participating in the competition or on the Moot Court Executive Board. Teams in past years have asked first year law students to act as clients as well as undergraduate students and upper-level law students.
The client is given a fact pattern, and the competitors receive a one or two sentence description of the reason for the client's visit. The competitors interview and counsel the client on his/her legal problem. The competition evaluates students' ability to establish a rapport with the client, discover relevant facts, spot legal issues, and adhere to codes of professional responsibility. The winning teams are invited to represent W&L at the ABA-sponsored Regional Client Counseling Competition.
The opening rounds of the competition will last 25 minutes per team. Competitors will have 20 minutes with their clients, and 5 minutes for post-interview reflections. They will then receive feedback from the judges.
Be advised that the Honor System applies to every aspect of this Competition.
2012-13 Important Dates
Monday, Oct. 22 - Thursday, Oct. 25: Sign-ups
Tuesday, Oct. 30: Round I Begins
Wednesday, Nov. 7: Semifinal Round Begins
Wednesday, Nov. 14: Finals
John Vita looks on as the client, Adam Patrick, shares his story with his attorneys.
Client Counseling Preparation
Students may find it beneficial to view the finals from years past, which are on reserve through the Law Library. In addition, please consult the handout below titled “Successful Client Counseling Strategies.”
Judges and Judging Criteria
Members of the Moot Court Executive Board will judge Round One and Semi-Finals. Finals will be judged by a visiting legal practitioner. Competitors will be assessed on the following criteria: teamwork, working relationship with the client, ability to understand the client’s goals, problem analysis, identification of any ethical issues, presentation of alternative courses of action, effectively concluding the interview, and post-interview reflections.
Client Counseling Competition Administrators
Jessica A. Piltch (Piltch.J@law.wlu.edu), Christina N. Randall James (James.C@law.wlu.edu), and Dominik J. Taylor (Taylor.D@law.wlu.edu)