Professor Venter

Notre Dame Law School Moot Court

Professor Christine Venter

Professor Venter is the Director of the Legal Writing Program at Notre Dame Law School, and the faculty advisor of the NDLS Moot Court Board. Professor Venter earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Cape Town, and her law degree from the University of Cape Town Law School. During law school, she was the Editor-in-Chief of Law Review. Professor Venter also holds an LL.M in International Law and Human Rights, summa cum laude, and a J.S.D. from Notre Dame Law School.

After law school, Professor Venter worked for a South African firm as an associate, specializing in civil rights litigation. After she moved to the U.S., she worked in international business law before doing legal aid work. Today, Professor Venter teaches Legal Writing I, Legal Research and Writing II, and Gender Issues and International Law. She is also a member of the Legal Writing Institute and the Association of Legal Writing Directors, and an Editor for the Journal of the Legal Writing Institute.

– On Moot Court –

Professor Venter’s relationship with Moot Court at NDLS began with advising the Jessup Team. In 2012, when the Moot Court class became the Moot Court Board, Professor Venter took over as its faculty advisor. In the early stages of the Board, she helped fold the legal writing moot court requirement into a “try out” process (now called the 1L Tournament) for a position on the Board. Not only does the 1L Tournament help spark interest in Moot Court, but the process also helps ensure that Board members have an interest in and commitment to Moot Court.

When asked about the evolution of Moot Court from the original class to the Board, Professor Venter said that she was proud of the professional organization that it has become. Not only have the member students come up with their own bylaws that continue to be updated and adapted, but they also strive to host their own tournament each year. Fun fact! According to Professor Venter, George Washington University previously hosted the Religious Freedom Tournament, and asked NDLS if our Moot Court Board would like to take over. It was a great fit for Notre Dame, and the Religious Freedom Tournament has been entirely student run since 2016!

As Moot Court’s Faculty Advisor, Professor Venter says that she enjoys interacting with the students on the board and seeing them flourish as they think on their feet and “represent Notre Dame outstandingly.”

The Board greatly appreciates Professor Venter’s time and commitment to helping our members achieve such great success.