Judge High School Mock Trial in Philly or Online: FREE CLEs

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)
  • Empire Online on 10/17-10/20 online

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]

Purchase the 2020 NAPABA Convention On-Demand CLE Pass

NAPABA is currently offering On-Demand CLE Pass that is available for purchase. This pass contains over 2230 minutes of eligible on-demand CLE including Ethics and Elimination of Bias credit in some jurisdictions.

Click here to purchase the on-demand CLE pass.

On-Demand CLE Credit Information

  1. This program offers a maximum of 2230 minutes of CLE including up to 120 minutes of Ethics credit and 180 minutes of Elimination of Bias credit in some jurisdictions.
  2. Please note, you can watch a session as many times as you wish, but you can only receive CLE credit one time.
  3. If you watched the program when it took place live from Nov. 4-7, you will not receive CLE credit for viewing the on-demand presentation. You will only receive CLE credit (depending on your jurisdiction) for any new programs you watch on-demand.
  4. To receive on-demand CLE credit for sessions viewed, collect the code words stated during each CLE presentation you view and submit the CLE codes words to this survey (https://www.surveymonkey.de/r/62DKVS8) to verify your attendance. Please collect all code words for the sessions you are seeking on-demand CLE credit and submit ONE survey by December 11 at 5 p.m. ET.


You will only have access to the library until December 8 
– Don’t delay!

In addition to CLE sessions, you also gain access to other on-demand content such as:

• Plenaries: Gain access to three thought-provoking plenary sessions covering topics such as voting rights, diversity and inclusion, and AAPIs as allies. 

• Keynote Series: An exclusive series of conversations with high-profile speakers who represent the diversity–both in politics, experience, and demographics–in our country.

• Entertainment Breaks: Pick up a new hobby this holiday season! Check out our various entertainment breaks such as yoga, dancing, or even a cooking class!

If you registered for the live event, you already have access to the 2020 NAPABA Convention | Virtual Experience On-Demand Pass. To access the sessions, log into the virtual platform and find the CLE session in the Agenda. Once you click the agenda item, you will see the video on the page.