INVITATION
Judge High School Mock Trial in Philly or Online: FREE CLEs
The Ask
On behalf of 500+ incredible high school students, including Brooklyn Tech and Central Islip HS, Empire Mock Trial is excited to invite you to volunteer as a judge or juror at one of two prestigious international mock trial competitions:
- Empire Philly: The Constitution Classic on 9/28 or 9/29 at the Center for Criminal Justice (1301 Filbert St, Philadelphia, PA)
- Make it a weekend trip! Discounted accommodations available.
- Learn more & register here
- Empire Online on 10/17-10/20 online
- Judge from the comfort of your own home.
- Learn more & register here
Not only does Empire Mock Trial offer great perks for volunteering (free CLE, free meals, networking) and a great mission (investing in young people), but the case is also really interesting: it involves a public official, an informant, and a perjury charge.
**No experience is required as both capable judges (i.e. trial lawyers) and jurors (i.e. non-trial lawyers) are needed**
About Empire Mock Trial
The program is run by Empire Mock Trial, a nonprofit founded in NYC that has impacted more than 10,000 students over the past decade through its mock trial competitions. Having previously hosted competitions in five (5) states and two (2) countries, this is the organization’s inaugural program in Philadelphia. Their founder started the nonprofit in 2007 and held competitions in New York for 14 years consecutively before the pandemic.
How to Help
You can support their students by (1) signing up to serve as a judge or juror, or (2) by sharing our information with colleagues, a bar association, or on social media.
CLEs
There are great opportunities to earn CLE:
- Philly – (1) ethics credit before each round by attending workshop (descriptions here) and (3) non-transitional skills credits for judging (capped a three credits)
- Online – (3) non-transitional skills credits for judging (capped a three credits)
Mock Trial Judge Perspective: New York born
Over the last three years, Cook County Circuit Court (IL) Judge James Shapiro has volunteered with Empire Mock Trial and had this to say about his experience:
“Before Empire, I had never judged a high school mock trial competition. Quite frankly, I was a little skeptical as to how good they could possibly be at the high school level. I am no longer a skeptic. These high school kids are better at trial advocacy than many lawyers I see. The competition is run in an extraordinarily professional manner. Empire has it organized down to a science. I had no idea this could be possible at the high school level… I heartily recommend participation as a judge in this competition. You will be blown away by the quality of much of the trial advocacy.”
Contact Empire Mock Trial
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. They can be reached at 646-481-2332 or simply email [email protected]