Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court (TTMC) Competition
The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition is an appellate advocacy competition sponsored annually by the NAPABA Law Foundation. The purpose of this Competition is to help law students develop advocacy skills and to foster legal talents of the future.
The Competition was founded in 1993 and is named in honor of the late Honorable Thomas Tang, a respected jurist who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1977 until his passing in 1995. Judge Tang’s decisions during his more than eighteen years on the Ninth Circuit reflected his strong commitment to civil rights for all people. Judge Tang was known for his kindness and warmth, and the leadership role he played in the Asian Pacific American legal community. He provided tremendous support to NAPABA and its activities, including the creation of this national moot court competition. In 2022, the competition was renamed The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition, in recognition of Dr. Pearl Tang, Judge Tang’s wife.
2025 Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition
Registration for the 2025 Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court Competition is now open! This is the 32nd anniversary of an annual tradition that fosters crucial advocacy skills among law students nationwide. This year’s competition topic is Birthright Citizenship.
The timeline of the competition is as follows:
Problem Release: August 1, 2025
Registration Closes: September 10, 2025
Brief Submission Deadline: October 3, 2025
Regional Rounds:
In-Person: October 17, 2025, at the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York City, NY (Limited to 12 teams, first come, first served).
Zoom: October 18, 2025 (Teams can choose to attend remotely from the beginning. Note: Teams will be assigned to Zoom once the in-person spots are filled).
National Competition: Top teams from both regional rounds will advance to the National Competition, held at the NAPABA Convention in Denver, CO, on November 7-8, 2025.
The registration fee is $500.00 per UNSPONSORED team. The registration fee is $850.00 per SPONSORED team. Sponsored teams include teams whose registrations are paid by their law school. Students who self-fund their registration fees are unsponsored. Any teams who have already registered as an unsponsored team must pay an additional $350 if they secure a sponsor for the competition.
SPONSORED TEAMS: This year we are encouraging local NAPABA Affiliates and National Associates to sponsor moot court teams, including providing support by paying registration fees for teams, providing coaching on written and oral advocacy skills, and paying for students’ travel to compete in regional and national competitions. Each law school is limited to two teams. Sponsors include law schools and bar associations, including those affiliated with NAPABA and National Associates, law firms, and other organizations. Local NAPABA Affiliates and National Associates are not limited in the number of teams they may sponsor, though each law school is permitted to register only two teams per year. Students are encouraged to reach out to local NAPABA Affiliates and National Associates to obtain support from sponsors. Please note that attorneys and/or judges who coach law students may not judge the moot court competition in the same year.
UNSPONSORED TEAMS: Teams who are independently funded by the student competitors themselves.
Online entry fees are preferred. Checks can be sent to:
NAPABA Law Foundation
C/O The Judge Thomas Tang and Dr. Pearl Tang Moot Court
1612 K Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
