E. Earle Zehmer
National Moot Court Competition
E. Earle Zehmer, former Chief Judge of the Florida First District Court of Appeal, was widely respected for his unwavering integrity. As one former law partner noted, “He did what was right, whether it was to his benefit or not.” Judge Zehmer was also a strong supporter of workers’ compensation judges and the development of the field. Following his sudden passing, the national moot court competition was renamed in his honor.
The E. Earle Zehmer National Moot Court Competition is a long-standing program, now spanning over 35 years, dedicated to fostering law students’ interest in workers’ compensation law. What began as a small regional competition held during an annual convention in Orlando, Florida, has evolved into a nationally recognized event, supported by the Workers’ Compensation Institute and the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary.
Today, law students from across the United States compete in virtual preliminary rounds judged by panels of sitting workers’ compensation judges. The top teams advance to in-person quarterfinal, semifinal, and final rounds in Orlando, where they argue before members of the judiciary. The final round is presided over by a three-judge panel from the Florida First District Court of Appeal. Throughout the competition, participants engage with a range of complex legal issues drawn from workers’ compensation systems across various states.
