The tournament in Williamsburg, Va., is being held Feb. 15 and Feb. 16.

The moot court provides an opportunity for law students to develop and refine oral advocacy and brief writing skills. Team members participate in moot court tournaments, which require each team to research and write an appellate brief and defend it before a panel of judges in an oral argument. Membership on the moot court is an honor, and tryouts for the team are competitive.

In addition to competing in other tournaments around the nation, the William & Mary Moot Court Team annually hosts the William B. Spong, Jr., Invitational Moot Court Tournament, which focuses on current issues in constitutional law. Teams from around the nation are invited. Rounds are judged completely by panels of federal and state court judges. The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association is the tournament’s co-sponsor and members also serve as judges for the tournament.

Justice Starcher is a native of Roane County. He holds undergraduate and law degrees from West Virginia University. He served as circuit judge in Monongalia County for 20 years, 18 as chief judge, prior to his election to a 12-year term on the Supreme Court in 1996. While sitting as a circuit judge, Justice Starcher served as a special judge in 23 of West Virginia’s 55 counties.

Justice Albright is a native of Parkersburg, Wood County. He is a graduate of Notre Dame University and Notre Dame Law School. He practiced law in Parkersburg from 1962 to the time of his service on the Supreme Court. He is a 14-year veteran of the West Virginia House of Delegates and served as the 52^nd Speaker in 1985-86. Justice Albright was appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Gaston Caperton and served in 1995 and 1996. In 2000 he was elected to a full 12-year term and served as Chief Justice in 2005.