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]

Join Us in a City Near You

The NAPABA Meet & Greet Series, designed to foster connections within the NAPABA community and nurture meaningful relationships, is an excellent opportunity for our members in cities across the country to network and engage with one another and NAPABA leadership. Visit our events page and mark your calendars for these upcoming dates! 

Philadelphia, PA
July 11 | 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC

Toronto, ON, CA
July 11 | 6:30-7:30 pm
Fasken

Chicago, IL
August 2 | 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Perkins Coie LLP

2017 NAPABA REGIONAL CONFERENCES

Southwest Regional Conference | April 6-7, 2017, in Austin, Texas
Registration | Deadline: March 16
Registration for the Southwest Regional Conference is now active and available online. Click here to register today.

Hotel Accommodations| Deadline: March 16
The Southwest Regional Conference has secured a room block at the JW Marriott Downtown Austin. To book your hotel, please click here.

Sponsorship
Interested in sponsoring the Southwest Regional Conference? Contact Punam Kaji at [email protected] for more information. As a conference sponsor, your name will be highlighted in conference materials!

For questions about the Southwest Regional Conference or APIS Conference, please contact:
Ann Chao Sheu, Chair | [email protected]
Punam Kaji, Chair-Elect | [email protected]

Click here to visit the Texas APIS website for more information about the Southwest Regional and APIS Conferences.

Western Regional Conference | July 20-22, 2017, in Silicon Valley
Registration
Registration for the Western Regional Conference will open on March 16.

Call for Programs | Deadline Extended: March 21, 8 p.m. EDT
The deadline for the Call for Programs has been extended! We welcome all program submissions, particularly programs directed to issues particular to the Western Region of the U.S., current controversial issues, and legal issues related to advances in technology. Priority will be given to panels with confirmed speakers. If you would like to submit a program, please complete the form here.

Hotel Accommodations| Deadline: June 28
The Western Regional Conference has secured a room block at the San Jose Marriott. For more information on hotel reservations and to book a room, please click here. Space is limited so book today!

Questions? Email us at [email protected].

Click here to visit the APABA SV Western Regional Conference website.

Northeastern Regional Conference | Sept. 8-10, 2017, in Philadelphia
Call for Programs | Deadline: April 15

The Call for Programs for the Northeast Regional Conference has been extended to April 15. If you would like to submit a program for the Northeast Regional Conference on Sept. 9, 2017, please complete the Call for Programs available online here.

Questions | Please contact [email protected].


Click here to visit the APABA-PA Northeast Regional Conference website. Find all of the NAPABA Regional Conference information on the NAPABA website.

Into the Picture; Images of Asian Pacific America by Corky Lee

Images of Asian Pacific America by Corky Lee

Come if you are in the Philadelphia neighborhood…or go to www.asianartsinitiative.org for details.

Reception: Fri 9/28 @ 5:30 PM
Gallery talk: Sat 9/29 @ 11 AM.

The Gallery talk will be fundraising for AAJA Philly chapter and Asian Arts Initiative, $10/15.

Afterwards stay for 17th annual Mid Autumn Fest sponsored by Asian American United (local civil rights organization) in Philly Chinatown, a 2 block walk from gallery.

Via public transit, take NJ Transit @ 34th St. Penn station to  Trenton, NJ.  Get off & stay on same platform for SEPTA train into Market East station (Chinatown) & walk 5 blocks (crossing
over Vine St. Expressway) to gallery at 1219 Vine. St.
$24.25 one way weekday rates.