James Baldwin Pre-Law Debate Tournament Overview

The James Baldwin Pre-Law Debate Tournament consists of a maximum of 18 teams made up of two advocates per team. Teams will use the sources provided to develop policy arguments regarding legal concepts that are relevant current event topics. This competition will use elements that mimic trial advocacy and appellate advocacy skills.

For each round, oral arguments for each side will consist of no more than 32 minutes, including rebuttal. Competitors are evaluated on their overall ability as advocates. After each side articulates their argument, the judges score each competitor using the official JBPLDT rubric. Overall, each round lasts no more than 1.5 hours.

Eligibility

In order to compete in the JBPLDT, team members must:

1. Be in a nationally recognized NBLSA Pre-LAw Student Division Chapter in the Southern Region of the National Black Law Students Association,

2. Satisfy all membership requirements of their local NBLSA Pre-Law chapter; 

3. Have paid national dues by December 31, 2021; and

4. Be in good academic standing with their respective law schools.

Please email the Southern Region Pre-Law Director with any questions.