It is time once again for the Southern Regional competition for the Giles Sutherland Rich Moot Court Competition, which is sponsored by HIPLA and the AIPLA. Up to 12 law student teams will compete at the Federal Courthouse in Houston between March 11-13, 2011 in a mock appellate argument in a case involving patent issues. This is your chance to sit behind an actual Federal Bench, help in the education of future IP lawyers, help HIPLA and the AIPLA, and maybe learn a little more about patent law. Any attorney at any level with some patent law experience is welcome and encouraged to help out and no specific technical background is necessary.

As usual, HIPLA needs about 70 volunteers to act as judges, brief graders, and/or bailiffs (bailiffs need not be attorneys). Briefs must be graded by February 28, 2011. Brief graders will receive their briefs by Feb. 8, 2011. Oral arguments will be held in the courtrooms of the United States District Courthouse at 500 Rusk on March 11-13, 2011. You can volunteer to judge for one or more of the following times (But keep in mind that the Friday round will be followed by a buffet reception downtown).

Friday, March 11 (6:00 pm) - Preliminary Round
Saturday, March 12 (9:00 a.m.) - Preliminary Round
Saturday, March 12 (11:00 a.m.) - Quarter Finals
Saturday, March 12 (2:00 p.m.) - Semi Finals
Sunday, March 13 (2:00 p.m.) - Finals

Volunteers are welcome to volunteer to both judge oral arguments and grade briefs.

Please volunteer by contacting Chris Shield or Rachelle Goldman.

Please state whether you prefer to grade briefs or serve as a judge/bailiff (listing preferred times). Please respond by Tues, February 4, 2011 if you are interested in grading briefs. Thank you for your participation, it is YOU who make this competition an annual success!!