The attorney's perspective.

The mock trial experience gives high school students the opportunity to challenge their analytical and speaking abilities in ways they never imagined in a fast-paced match-up of wits with another team. It also gives us, the attorney coaches, the opportunity to convey our real courtroom experiences, ethics, and knowledge of the law in order to foster respect and interest in our profession.

While the primary goals of the mock trial program are to educate young people and to stimulate and encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of the American legal system, the rewards reaped by the attorney coaches involved in the program are immeasurable. Not only do we get the satisfaction of seeing young people sharpen their critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills, but we can take pride in teaching these young people that the legal profession is, indeed, an honorable profession.

At a time when lawyer-bashing jokes are at an all time high, the mock trial program provides a perfect opportunity to turn the tide and teach a new generation of young people that lawyers are not ambulance chasers, or sharks, or only interested in making money. Sure, the program is time consuming, and it requires a firm commitment. But the lessons learned--not just by the students, but also by the attorney coaches--are priceless.

For anyone who has coached a sports team, there is nothing more gratifying than to be in the heat of competition and see the team perform to the best of its ability and apply all the lessons learned in countless hours of practice. Such is the feeling I've felt each time I've traveled to Tallahassee with my mock trial team for the state competition. Each time, I marvel at how teenage high school students transform themselves into articulate, confident, trial "lawyers" when the gavel goes down and the spotlights are on.

The road to Tallahassee, however, doesn't appear by magic. Rather, it's a process of several weeks and months of preparing, learning, training, and practicing.

It all begins with "The Three C's": Confidence, control, and courage.

As a former division chief in the Third Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, one of my duties was to train new prosecutors. I found through the years that without confidence, control, and courage, no one can become a successful trial lawyer. Hence, I developed a system for training new prosecutors in trial practice, which I call "The Three C's." I taught new lawyers, and now teach mock trial students, that any good case stems not only from having concise facts and well-argued points, but also from conveying the facts and arguments with articulation and poise.

The mock trial student must have the confidence to stand up and make objections, and to continue with the examination of a witness, even after receiving an adverse, ruling. He or she must have complete control of the courtroom, which means being able to move about the courtroom in a commanding manner, keep witnesses on track. and come to trial prepared and in control of the facts. Finally, the mock trial "lawyer" must have the courage to spend hours studying and practicing in order to prepare a case that is ethical, truthful, and well-organized.

Within the framework of The Three C's, I weave all the other important tools from the moment the student walks into the courtroom. Ethics, integrity, and honesty are the cornerstones of The Three C's. Students are taught to deal with and confront the truth-even if it hurts--and never compromise integrity. And never mislead or lie. These are difficult concepts for young people to understand at times, particularly when the "winning at all costs attitude" is what is generally portrayed as part of the legal profession. But these are the concepts that, if learned early in life, will serve the students well, regardless of their chosen profession.

Prepare, prepare, prepare. I basically drill the concept of preparation into the students and stress to them how, without preparation, they cannot feel in control, cannot have confidence, and cannot have the courage to do what is required.

Is it all work and no fun? Absolutely not. Just ask any of my former students what it's like to ride in my minivan through the streets of Tallahassee, singing at the top of our lungs with the radio going full blast. Or holding a practice session in one of the local restaurants in our town instead of a courtroom. Lots of laughs. Lots of memories.

The billable hours I lose on practice nights and on weekends are more than increased in the individual successes of my students. One of those is a young lady named Suwana Jean, who competed on the mock trial team for three years. Suwana, at first, was a shy, reserved young lady. During the state competition, Suwana went on to win the "best witness award" during two consecutive years. Suwana is now in her first year of college with a firm determination to become a lawyer.

One of the most rewarding experiences for me has been watching the teams I coach win the professionalism award in two consecutive years. The award is decided upon by the members of all the competing teams. This has validated to me the lessons of respect, ethics, professionalism, honesty, confidence, courage, and control. Indeed, my teams have learned to conduct themselves in a professional, courteous manner in and out of the courtroom, while being strong advocates for their cause. These are the life lessons that mock trial students can take from the courtroom to all other walks of life.

Lessons in law. Lessons in life. Invaluable lessons shared by young people and well-seasoned lawyers--all through the mock trial experience.

The Importance of Judicial Involvement

Judge Doug Henderson is a member of the Mock Trial Advisory Committee and a devoted mock trial volunteer who travels each year to the state finals to be a presiding judge in any or all rounds of competition. It is his work with the mock trial program at the district and state competition that earned him the 1998 Law Related Education Judge of the Year. Judge Henderson has been a tremendous resource to The Florida Law Related Education Association, Inc., and the mock trial students.