University of Cincinnati College of Law Hosts Mock Trial for High School Students as Part of Leadership Institute

Ninth-grade students from high schools across the tri-state will lead their first mock trial hosted at the University of Cincinnati College of Law as part of the Law and Leadership Institute (LLI), an intensive program designed to support high-achieving students from underserved communities as they progress toward success in college and professional life. The program kicked off with summer classes at the law school where the incoming class learned about legal concepts — including constitutional principles governing searches and seizures— participated in vigorous debates and wrote extensively about current issues, such as the George Zimmerman trial. The group also heard from more than 25 lawyers and judges on various aspects of their respective careers and life experiences.

The program is held each year on law school campuses throughout Ohio, including at the UC College of Law. Its purpose is to introduce minority students and others from underserved communities to the legal field as a possible career option. Classes are taught by law students, assisted by area high school teachers. After completing five weeks of daily class at the LLI, the 9th graders are prepared to challenge each other in a mock trial over a specific case in front of a local judge or legal professional functioning in that role.  This mock trial, the culmination and high point of the summer program, allows the students to showcase what they’ve learned for their friends, family and supporters of the LLI. 

All are invited to attend. For more information, please contact Professor Michele Bradley at the College of Law. She can be reached at 513-556-0177 or via email at  michele.bradley@uc.edu. Also, visit the website of the Law and Leadership Institute at

www.lawandleadership.org

for more information about the program.