Future Lawyers Shine at Nationals

As an update on a prior posting, the Overbrook High School Mock Trial Team acquitted themselves quite well at the National High School Mock Trial Championship, held in Wilmington, Delaware.  The Panthers finished a respectable 15th place out of 42 teams, behind eventual champion Jonesboro High School of Georgia.

Many of these team members, all seniors, are interested in attending law school after finishing up college.  And since, as practicing lawyers, we know that the best litigation training occurs in the courtroom rather than the classroom, it seems that these future lawyers have gotten a good start. 

Future Young Lawyers Getting a Headstart

On Wednesday, the City and the Bar Association held a special reception for the Overbrook High School Mock Trial team.  The team’s accomplishments have been recently documented: three consecutive city mock trial championships and now the state-wide Pennsylvania Bar Association Mock Trial Competition.

The eight students, all seniors, certainly had to earn their honors.  As Mayor Nutter pointed out, while the NCAA basketball champ has to beat out 64 other teams in the tournament, Overbrook had to outlast 294 schools to win the state title.  Team member Ian Wiley, who spoke for the team, noted how it was nice to be recognized for winning this type of competition rather than a basketball, football or other athletic championship.  Next up for the Overbrook Panthers: the nationals on May 9-10 in Delaware.

So we should congratulate, praise and continue to encourage these fine city students, who could very well be the future young lawyers of Philadelphia.  Or, of course, we can warn them to switch their paths while they still can. . .      

It’s That Time Of Year Again

With the 2008 John S. Bradway Philadelphia High School Mock Trial Competition just around the corner, I started thinking about my experiences as a high school mock trial competitor. I did not attend high school in Philadelphia and while my city’s competition was much smaller, I am sure I share some of the same experiences as Philadelphia’s students.

I joined my high school’s mock trial team when I was in 9th grade. I knew (or thought!) I wanted to be an attorney, so it was a great opportunity for me to get a taste of life as a trial lawyer, albeit with a lower stress level. I tried out for the team and was lucky enough to be selected as one of our team’s attorneys. Our coach was not only a classmate’s father, but also one of the best known attorneys in the state, who often appeared on Court TV. Over the next few months, we practiced our direct and cross examinations, opening statements and closing arguments, and making and responding to objections.

I was fifteen-years-old when I walked into my first trial, in my new suit, with key objection responses written on note cards. I was nervous, but the nerves went away soon after I uttered the words, “May it please the Court…my name is…” and jumped into my opening statement. We did not win anything that day, but our team did come away with an invaluable experience, which would not have been possible without the local attorneys who volunteered their time to judge our competition and provide feedback to the students.

Years later, I walked into my first trial as a high school mock trial scoring judge. I was not nervous and I did not have cue cards, but I had a good time. It was great to see so many students from all over the city take such an interest in the law. It was even better giving the students feedback and providing encouragement to pursue their interest in the law.

No one has asked me to solicit volunteers for the John S. Bradway Philadelphia High School Mock Trial Competition, but if you are interested in contributing a few hours of your time to this experience, you may sign up online.