Old Gold is glad he majored in history and library science, rather than law. The thought of arguing before the state’s high court justices—and expecting to convince them that you’re right—is indeed a daunting one, even if all that is at stake is your grade. And perhaps some dignity, for good measure.

Supreme Court Day, a longtime tradition in the University of Iowa College of Law, began in 1927 as an annual rite of spring for third-year law students. The moot court exercise was, for many years, held in late spring before graduation, and in its early decades was held in the Senate Chamber of Old Capitol. The presiding justices—visiting from Des Moines—heard oral arguments in fictitious civil or criminal cases. On May 6, 1960, for example, the assembled justices heard Longly v. Larchmont, a medical injury lawsuit:

“An action against a doctor in which the patient sued for injuries resulting from administration of tetanus antitoxin following a farmyard accident. The issues are whether res ipsa loquitur (‘the thing speaks for itself’) applies and whether the doctor was obligated to warn the patient of the calculated risk. Patient recovered a verdict and the doctor appeals.”

An evening banquet recognized the day’s victors—and softened the blow for the defeated side. Awards and other honors were presented, including induction of new members of the Order of the Coif, an honor society.

The moot court tradition continues today, with no fewer than five competitions available to law students throughout the year. Supreme Court Day, an 83-year tradition, is now held in the fall in Levitt Auditorium and is open to the public. Fear not, defendants, for Old Gold will never burden you as your counsel. Mea maxima culpa.

—David McCartney, University archivist

Supreme Court Day program, 1956.

Source—Subject Vertical Files Collection, Traditions category, folder “Law – Supreme Court Day”; University of Iowa Archives, Department of Special Collections, University of Iowa Libraries.

Supreme Court Day in session, 1934.

Source—F.W. Kent Collection of Photographs, Colleges and Departments series, folder “Law”; University of Iowa Archives, Department of Special Collections, University of Iowa Libraries.

 

Early moot court, probably before 1920; undated.

Source—F.W. Kent Collection of Photographs, Colleges and Departments series, folder “Law”; University of Iowa Archives, Department of Special Collections, University of Iowa Libraries.