This year’s National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition (NVLMCC) is fast approaching, and we need your help!
Volunteers are needed to score briefs and serve as judges for oral argument, which will be held in-person on Saturday November 4, 2023, at The George Washington University Law School. Serving as a judge is a great way to share your experience and expertise in veterans law with law students from across the country! Plus, complimentary parking, breakfast, and lunch will be provided, and judges are also invited to attend a reception at Tonic on Saturday evening.
This year’s problem involves a disabled veteran whose benefits were not reduced under 38 U.S.C. § 5313(a)(1)(A) for a period of incarceration exceeding sixty days. Students will have to address two legal questions:
1. Whether the Court should overrule or clarify Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 468 U.S. 837 (1984) as it relates to the deference Courts owe agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes?
2. Whether the phrase "actually received" in 38 U.S.C. § 5302(a)(1) is ambiguous as to what constitutes receipt of a notification of indebtedness and, if so, is VA's interpretation of that statute in 38 C.F.R. § 1.963(b)(2) a reasonable interpretation entitled to deference?.
Judges will be sent materials before the competition, including a bench memo and a problem summary, to help them prepare.
If you are interested in volunteering to judge oral arguments and score briefs, please complete the Judge Volunteer Form found here:
And if you have any questions, please email veteranslawmoot@law.gwu.edu. On behalf of the NVLMCC organizers, thank you for volunteering!