Mock Trials

Volunteering for mock trials is a rewarding way to give back to the legal profession while helping to shape the next generation of lawyers. By serving as counsel, witnesses, or jurors, attorneys provide students with a realistic courtroom experience and teach valuable lessons about professionalism, ethics, and advocacy. These programs not only benefit the participants but also strengthen the public’s understanding of the justice system. Volunteers often find the experience energizing and inspiring, as it offers a chance to mentor future attorneys, hone their own communication skills, and connect with colleagues who share a commitment to advancing the practice of law.

New Dates Added: Volunteers Needed to Judge Pa. Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition

The Pennsylvania Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition – presented by the ACBA and the Pa. Bar Association – kicked off in Allegheny County last month, and additional dates have been opened for volunteer participation for a weather makeup day, an elimination round to get to the final eight-teams, a semi-final round for those eight-teams, and finals that will determine the two teams which will represent Allegheny County at the state competition

ACBA members are asked to support these hard-working high school students by volunteering to be a scoring juror or a presiding judge for the competition; 36 local high school teams have participated. . Volunteers do not need to be a litigation attorney to support this program, and prior experience as a scoring juror is not needed.

Volunteers need to arrive at the City-County Building by 4:45 p.m. With enough volunteers on Feb. 26 and March 3, volunteers will only be needed to judge one trial (4:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) rather than the typical back-to-back trials.

Thursday, Feb. 19 – weather makeup day
Thursday, Feb. 26 – elimination round
Tuesday, March 3 – Semifinals
Thursday, March 5 - Finals

Volunteers can sign-up at this link. For additional information, contact Julie Brennan at jbrennan@pionlaw.com.

Additional Mock Trials

Name: AAJ Mock Trial Competition

Date/Time: Thursday, March 5 - Sunday, March 8

Location: City-County Building and Duquesne University

Type of Mock Trial: Student Trial Advocacy Competition

Type of Volunteers Needed: Scoring Judges

Contact: Peter Giglione at pgiglione@MassaLawGroup.com.

More Info: Several scoring judges are needed for each round. The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law are hosting the regional round of the AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition, to take place at the City-County Building on March 5 through 7, with the final rounds to be held at Duquesne on March 8. To sign up, click here.

Name: Baldwin High School Mock Trial

Date/Time: During the school week from 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Location: Baldwin High School

Type of Mock Trial: High School Mock Trial

Type of Volunteers Needed: Attorney

Contact: Kate Deemer at kdeemer@bwschools.net.

More Info: The volunteer attorney will be assisting the Baldwin High School Mock Trial team primarily during the school day with occasional after school and weekend practice. The team needs assistance with trial law for a civil case.