Despite making up nearly half of law school classes, women remain underrepresented as trial attorneys, appellate litigators, and high-stakes negotiators. Courtrooms and boardrooms continue to be dominated by male actors, while women are sidelined. In 2023, women constituted only 28% of all law firm partners. Women remain significantly underrepresented among practicing trial attorneys, particularly in lead trial roles. The trend extends to appellate practice. A 2021 American Bar Association Report found that male lawyers still outnumber female lawyers nearly 3 to 1 in oral argument appearances in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.

The legal industry is often characterized as competitive and high pressure, where the most adaptable, resourceful and quick-thinking lawyers thrive. One of the best vehicles for this training lies outside the casebook—and in the world of competition teams.

Competition teams in law school, such as Moot Court, Mock Trial, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), offer students a chance to step beyond casebooks and into the practice of advocacy. These programs give students the chance to practice advocacy in high-pressure settings, giving participants the opportunity to sharpen their research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. For aspiring lawyers, especially those aiming for courtroom or client-facing careers, joining a competition team can provide early experience, build confidence, and create a professional edge that lasts well beyond graduation. These benefits are even more pertinent for women law students who want to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated law fields, such as litigation and dealmaking.

Below is a quick breakdown of the types of competition teams in law school, summarizing their responsibilities, their benefits, and why they’re particularly valuable for women law students.

Moot Court

Responsibilities

• Drafting appellate briefs grounded in strong research and precedent

• Delivering oral arguments before panels of judges who test every angle

• Collaborating with teammates to refine strategy, tone, and delivery

Benefits

• Sharpened writing: Brief writing teaches how to distill complex law into concise, persuasive arguments—an essential skill for any litigator

• Poise under pressure: Oral arguments demand composure and quick thinking when faced with rapid-fire questions

• Professional exposure: Competitions often involve practicing judges and attorneys, giving students direct access to mentors and future employers

Moot Court is one of the best ways to experience appellate advocacy in law school. Students not only learn how to build and defend arguments but also how to handle the intensity of a hot bench. For women especially, it provides a chance to hone legal writing, develop oral advocacy skills, and claim space in appellate forums where women have historically been underrepresented.

Mock Trial

Responsibilities

• Crafting opening statements, examinations, and closing arguments

• Managing witness roles and evidentiary objections in real time

• Developing strategy as a team and adjusting to opponents’ tactics

Benefits

• Courtroom confidence: Simulates the energy and unpredictability of trial practice

• Mastery of evidence and procedure: Students gain fluency in objections, preserving the record, and structuring persuasive questioning

• Team-driven growth: Builds leadership, collaboration, and time-management skills

Mock Trial puts students in the middle of courtroom practice, complete with the adrenaline and challenges of trial work. For women pursuing litigation, the experience is especially valuable, as trial advocacy remains a space where women are underrepresented. Training early in law school gives women the preparation and confidence to step into trial roles with authority, signaling to employers that they are not only academically strong but also well-versed in trial work.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Responsibilities

• Practicing mediations, arbitrations, and negotiations

• Drafting settlement agreements and refining negotiation strategies

• Balancing advocacy for a client with the pursuit of resolution

Benefits

• Practical negotiation tools: Develop active listening, problem-solving, and creativity in reaching agreements

• Versatility: Skills transfer across nearly every legal field, from family law to corporate transactions

• Collaborative leadership: Provides experience guiding conversations and shaping outcomes constructively

Most disputes never reach a courtroom, and the ability to negotiate effectively is crucial for every lawyer. ADR offers women a platform to cultivate strategic skills in negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution in settings that mirror real-world practice, where collaboration and strategy often produce the best outcomes for stakeholders. ADR training demonstrates to employers that students can command high-stakes conversations, manage conflict with poise, and achieve client-centered results—qualities that distinguish them as future leaders in male-dominated roles.

Conclusion

Competition teams in law school are critical training grounds for the next generation of advocates. For women law students seeking to enter trial advocacy or appellate litigation, these programs provide early and substantive experience in the very arenas where women remain underrepresented. Moot Court, Mock Trial, and ADR foster rigorous preparation, adaptability, and confidence under pressure, developing the skills most valued by employers and clients. Furthermore, competition teams can provide a sense of belonging and purpose, countering the isolation many young women feel in law school. The benefits of competing in law school last beyond graduation; competitions offer ample networking opportunities for law students, where coaches and judges, as well as alumni, can become lasting professional connections.

Su Aray is a first-generation Turkish-American and law student at Cardozo School of Law, where she serves as a Student Fellow at the Cardozo Law Institute in Holocaust and Human Rights. She received her undergraduate degree in Social Sciences at University College London where she participated in competitive debating, representing UCL at the 2020 World Universities Debating Championship. Born and raised in Turkey, then Germany, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Su identifies as a “third-culture kid,” relating to many different cultures and perspectives.