Our Interview With Sanika Newadkar, President of UCSB Moot Court

By the Juris Education Interview Team

Sanika Newadkar is the President of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Moot Court.

1. What is the typical format(s) of a mock trial or moot court competition?

Moot Court is a simulated oral argument about a Constitutional question, resembling arguments in front of the Supreme Court. As opposed to mock trial, in which you debate the facts of the case, moot court is regarding legal analysis and precedent to back up your claims. In the past, cases have concerned whether a wedding decorator can refuse service to a gay couple, whether the government can search a phone’s location data without a warrant, and the constitutionality of a federal vaccine mandate.

2. What are some of the biggest takeaways or real-world benefits that students gain from participating in a mock trial or moot court competition?

Moot Court is one of law school’s most popular activities, so students interested in pursuing law will be especially equipped with familiarity, public speaking, and argumentative skills to succeed. Legal analysis, in my opinion, is the biggest takeaway - the ability to read a supreme court case is one that is increasingly important and relevant in this day and age, and one of the first things you learn to perfect in moot court, since we base our legal arguments in real-life cases before appellate courts.

3. What’s the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of participating in such a competition?

The most challenging is handling tough judicial questioning under pressure, since in moot court, judges can interrupt you during argument rather than after, so you always have to be prepared to answer a question but also smoothly go back into your argument when you're finished answering. This is a tough skill to master, since you’re not just reciting a speech but arguing with a malleable structure. 

4. How do mock trials help students feel prepared for a career in law?

Moot Court helps students feel prepared because law school requires lots of reading, writing, and arguing, which is exactly what we do - a lot of the cases that you are required to learn and apply you will have already done beforehand. It also helps build your confidence and can help people realize whether they want to pursue a career in law for sure since it is very hands-on and rigorous. Especially for kids who want to pursue a career in appellate law. 

5. How can students make the most of a mock trial competition or program?

Joining is the first step! The second is being dedicated and committed to your team and your partner since we compete in partnerships. As long as you give it your all, you will be guaranteed to make the most of it. Also, as a plus, tournaments often bring in real-life judges and lawyers to judge your competition, so networking is also a way to make the most of it, from a professional development perspective! 

6. What advice would you give to those who are trying to find the right mock trial competition for them?

No matter whether it’s mock trial or moot court, try out for both! You’ll never know how much you like the activity unless you go out of your way to explore the pre-law activities offered, so don’t think too hard about whether to consider it, the best way to find your shtick is learning by doing! So go try out! 

Juris Education is proud to interview experts like Sanika Newadkar to help future lawyers understand the benefits of extracurricular involvement in college. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into law school today.