• Registration Form
• Case Information & Updates
  • Case Packet
  • News and Advisories
  • Region List
  • Participating Schools
  • Court List
  • Mock Trial Orientations
  • Team Tournament Schedule
  • Preliminary Trial Results
  • Championship Bracket
• Sponsorship
• Mock Trial Articles
• Philosophy
• Mock Trial Tips
  • Hints on How to for Prepare for a Mock Trial
  • Strategies for Teaching about Mock Trial Procedures
  • Guidelines for Teachers
  • Suggestions for Teacher Coaches
  • Suggestions for Attorney Coaches
  • Suggestions for Student Attorneys
  • Suggestions for Student Witnesses
  • How to Make the Most of Your Oral Presentation
  • Courtroom Behavior
  • Some of the Things Most Difficult for Team Members to Master
• Hall of Champions
• Photos
  • State Championship 2009
  • State Championship 2008
  • State Championship 2007
  • State Championship 2006
  • State Championship 2005
  • State Championship 2004
  • State Championship 2003
  • Sweet 16 2007
  • Sweet 16 2006
  • Sweet 16 2003
• National Championship Information
• Video Sales

The MBA High School Mock Trial Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary

A Letter from the Mock Trial Committee Chair

Thank you for participating in the Massachusetts Bar Association's 2010 High School Mock Trial Program, proudly sponsored again this year by the law firm of Brown Rudnick. The MBA is particularly pleased to be celebrating the 25th year of the high school mock trial program this year. It is truly a testament to the dedication of the many lawyers and teachers who volunteer their time that this program continues to thrive.

This year's teams will try a civil case in which the plaintiff suffers a substantial financial loss after investing her/his daughter's college funds with a financial advisor at a brokerage firm. The case focuses on whether the firm, and/or the advisor are responsible for those losses. This case gives participants an opportunity to learn about the importance of decision-making in the investment of personal funds and provides students with a glimpse of the potential for pitfalls when taking chances with risky investments.

The tournament begins in late January and continues into March with a "sweet sixteen" round, culminating in the State Finals, to be held on March 26, 2010. All participating teams are invited and strongly encouraged to attend the State Finals to observe the tournament's competition at its highest level. The state champion team will compete for the national title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in May of 2010.

The Mock Trial Program has been structured with the following goals in mind:

• To further your understanding of the law, court procedures, civil liberties and our legal system;
• To increase your proficiency in basic life skills, such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning;
• To develop your advocacy skills regardless of which side of the case is being represented and irrespective of the party with which you most identify;
• To promote better communication and cooperation between you, the schools and the legal profession; and
• To heighten your consciousness of law-related professions and the academic studies, which lead to those professions.

We are grateful for the efforts and long hours dedicated by the members of the Mock Trial Committee.  We thank you for your participation and hope you find the experience challenging, enlightening and fun!

The Mock Trial Program is administered by the MBA, and made possible by the international law firm of Brown Rudnick through its Center for the Public Interest in Boston, which has contributed $25,000 per year to the program since 1998.

For more information on the MBA Mock Trial Program or upcoming competitions, visit www.massbar.org/mock , or contact Mock Trial Central, at (617) 338-0570 or [e-mail mocktrial].