Reeves Anderson, Moot Court Program Featured in The AmLaw Litigation Daily

Arnold & Porter appellate partner Reeves Anderson was featured in The AmLaw Litigation Daily article, “The Best Moot Courts Aren’t Rehearsals,” discussing how the firm’s moot court program contributed to his success in “a string of significant appeals this year.”

In the interview, Reeves describes how hearing “Counsel, help me understand ...” from the bench informs how he approaches oral argument. Judges don’t want a recitation of briefs; they are trying to resolve uncertainty—an assumption that hasn’t been tested, a consequence that hasn’t been explored, or a tension that hasn’t been acknowledged. “Whatever the issue,” Reeves believes “the advocate’s job is to identify the source of the uncertainty and help [the judges] resolve it.”

Arnold & Porter’s moot court program, which brings together subject-matter experts from across the firm and features two former judges, plays a central role in helping attorneys identify blind spots before argument. “Rather than treating preparation as a chance to perfect answers, [Reeves] treats it as a chance to uncover the questions that still need answering,” author Ross Todd explains. Only once those issues are exposed can the process shift to crafting winning answers.

The article also discusses Reeves’ use of AI to summarize complex records, analyze panel members’ prior opinions, and pressure-test arguments. As a member of the firm’s management committee, Reeves spends significant time focusing on AI’s role in legal practice. But he cautions that technology can’t replace the “human element” of preparation. “AI can’t teach you how to read a room,” Reeves said. “AI can’t teach you how to discern between a hostile and a friendly question. It can’t teach you grace under pressure.”

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