NCJFCJ is again a national partner for the 3rd annual National Moot Court Competition in Child Welfare & Adoption Law, sponsored by Capital University Law School, in partnership with the National Center for Adoption Law & Policy, the ABA Center on Children and the Law, NCJFCJ, the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, and the National Association of Counsel for Children. The past two years have been a huge success, thanks to the competitive showings of teams that came from all over the country to compete, the efforts of the national partners, and the judges who volunteered their time to participate.

This year the competition will be held on March 14 & 15, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. The topic will be “Children’s Best Interest & Multicultural Issues in Adoption.”

Capital University Law School is in need of 12 sitting judges or magistrates to judge the quarter-final round on Saturday, March 15, 2008 from 11:00 AM until 12:30 PM. They are also in need of six sitting judges or magistrates to judge the semi-final round from 1:30 until 3:00 on March 15. They would like to have enough volunteers to have different judges for each round. Accordingly, 18 sitting judges or magistrates are needed. The rounds will be held at the Ohio Judicial Center, home of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Members may also register to judge the preliminary rounds on Friday, March 14, 2008, at the Ohio Statehouse from 10:30 AM until 12:00 PM, or from 1:30 to 5:00.

NCJFCJ has already arranged for support of the participation of one judge in the final round. Unfortunately, there is no funding to support participation in the additional judging rounds. However, should you be interested and able to participate, Capital University Law School would greatly appreciate the representation of NCJFCJ judicial officers in all rounds of the competition.

For additional information or to register, you may contact Dawn Viggiano directly at dviggiano@law.capital.edu; or you can visit the competition website:  http://www.law.capital.edu/adoption/mootcourt.htm