The Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project
Each fall, Colorado law students work with high school students to foster debate and discussion about important legal issues that impact students' lives. Using a problem developed every year by the national headquarters of the Project, law students teach the high school students how to reason, formulate persuasive arguments, and make oral presentations on each side of the problem. Each fall, the Colorado law students prepare for their teaching roles by taking a course, .
In November, interested high school students who participated in the Project have the opportunity to compete against each other in a state-wide moot court competition. The competition is hosted by the Byron White Center and judged by Justices from the Colorado Supreme Court and Judges from the Colorado Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. The top six finalists of that competition then represent Colorado in theÌýnational competition in Washington, D.C., accompanied by their law student coaches.
In 2024, fiveÌýof Colorado’s six competitors made it to the semi-finals of the national competition!ÌýÌý
"Educating youth about their rights and responsibilities under our legal system increases civic awareness and engagement that lasts a lifetime. Every year, parents of high school students participating in the Marshall-Brennan Project report that the experience has changed the life of their son or daughter by inspiring them and opening them up to new opportunities. The Project is one of the most important and rewarding things I have ever been a part of at the University of Colorado Law School."
â â¶Ä”Matthew Cushing, Teaching Assistant Professor and Director of Executive and Community Learning Programs
Slideshow for 2019 National Competition
White Center_MB Regional Moot Court_2019
Sample Partner Schools
- 2017 Colorado Moot Court Competition (January, 2017: Wolf Law)
- 2014:ÌýWhite Center Program Creates Brighter Vision for the Future
- 2013 Colorado Moot Court CompetitionÌý(February, 2013: Wolf Law)
- 2013 National Moot Court CompetitionÌý(April, 2013: Washington, D.C.)
- 2012 Colorado Moot Court CompetitionÌý(January, 2012: Wolf Law)
- 2012 National Moot Court CompetitionÌý(March, 2012: Washington, D.C.)