During my first year, I recall seeing groups of high school students on campus. Since our campus is a law school only campus, naturally I was curious as to why they were there. I found out that they are participants in our Young Lawyers Program, where local high school students come to Loyola’s campus to prepare for a full mock trial.

This January, I finally had the availability to participate in Young Lawyers. The students come to campus once a week for twelve weeks, and the program will culminate in a trial that they will present before an actual judge. Every week, they complete homework assignments, like writing opening and closing statements, developing themes, and learning objections. Parents, friends, and the community attend the final trial to support the students and give them an opportunity to show off all their hard work.

Besides giving the students a chance to learn more about trial advocacy as high school students, the program also provides a mentoring aspect. We are broken up into smaller teams, where we work with the same students every week, developing relationships and providing one on one feedback.

I recently heard that there is a 1L student currently at Loyola who was a past program participant. With the continued efforts of our wonderful faculty, volunteering practitioners, and students, hopefully she is just the start.

A few weekends ago, I volunteered to be a witness during an on-campus practice for the Byrne Trial Advocacy Team. They were preparing for the National Trial Competition’s Regional Tournament. I knew Loyola’s trial advocacy program was ranked fifth in the nation, but other than that, I really had no idea what to expect.

I walked into Robinson Courtroom (incidentally, which is where I have Torts class), to find team members wearing suits. After being briefed as the defendant’s expert witness, I took the stand and participated in questioning, cross-examination, and re-direct. The defendant was claiming insanity, and my job as his forensic psychiatrist was to present his test results and my professional opinion in a way that would convince the jury he was mentally ill. Honestly, I never thought I’d be learning about the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test in law school, but when in Rome…

Overall, I was very impressed by the professionalism and skill of the team members. The questions were clear, straightforward, and expertly formed so that there was no room for ambiguity in my responses. Professor Levinson judged the trial, and she was no-nonsense and extremely thorough.

One of the reasons I chose Loyola was because I wanted practical and hands-on opportunities in school that would prepare me for a career in litigation. Between the Byrne Trial Advocacy Team, the Scott Moot Court Team, year-round externships, and the Hobbs District Attorney Clinic, I think I’ve found more than enough to keep my hands full.