Madison, WI – Attorneys, parents, teachers and teens from throughout Wisconsin are teaming up to prepare for National Mock Trial, a massive event that is taking place in Madison from May 2014. With the clock ticking and funds to be raised, Wisconsin’s National Mock Trial Fundraising Committee is launching a major donor campaign today to support their efforts.  

Hosting National Mock Trial is a major undertaking, requiring hundreds of hours of volunteer time and the funds necessary to make everything run smoothly for participants, who in recent years have hailed from 42 states, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and South Korea.

In support of the campaign to recruit donors, volunteers and Mock Trial participants, the State Bar of Wisconsin just launched www.wisbar.org/nationalmocktrial2014. The chairs of the National Mock Trial Fundraising Committee, State Bar Past President Jim Boll and Attorney Rory Boll, are also launching an outreach program that will include booths at events sponsored by PINNACLE©, the leading provider of continuing legal education in Wisconsin. The Bolls, a husband/wife team, are personally reaching out to large law firms, solo practitioners, and anyone who has participated in National Mock Trial.  

“We hope that the individuals and those who have competed in the tournament, those who have been involved in it, those who have coached in it, will also be willing to contribute so we can reach our goal,” said Attorney Jim Boll, a past president of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Committee chairs are also encouraging businesses and individuals throughout the state to provide financial support for the event. Organizers say the National Mock Trial experience has a lasting impact on teens.

“I’ve been an attorney coach for Xavier High School in Appleton for 13 years. I can tell you that I have  had students come up to me and say this is the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life,” said National Mock Trial Executive Committee Chair Kevin Lonergan. “Hosting the Nationals is a great opportunity for the state of Wisconsin.  We’re going to showcase our state; we’re going to showcase the State Bar of Wisconsin. We’re going to show them what we’re about here!”

Fundraising committee members will host a booth at the PINNACLE® Real Estate and Business Law Institute this week at the Marriott Madison West in Middleton. The fundraising chairs will be joined by current and past Mock Trial participants. 

Watch interviews about National Mock Trial fundraising efforts and volunteer opportunities.

Those who wish to make a tax-deductible donation can make a check out to The Wisconsin Law Foundation, and mail it to the Wisconsin Law Foundation/National Mock Trial Fund at 5302 Eastpark Boulevard, Madison, WI 53707.