Inside the Bar
February 2008
High School Mock Trial celebrates 25 years, seeks sponsors for
awards, dinner and program
Since its inception in 1983, the Wisconsin
High School Mock Trial program has helped educate more than 30,000
Wisconsin youth about the legal system. The program has taught a future
generation about a variety of issues including freedom of the press,
operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, Fourth Amendment issues,
custody battles, anabolic steroid use, and battery and disorderly
conduct, to name a few.
“As the State Bar looks forward to celebrating this milestone,
the Law-related Education Committee (LRE) looks farther down the
road,” says committee chair Lindsey Draper. “Where will this
program be in 25 years and what resources will it take to sustain it?
In honor of the program’s 25th anniversary celebration, the
committee seeks sponsorship for the awards dinner and the program.
“Many worthwhile extracurricular activities like Mock Trial
have been cut or drastically reduced in area school districts,”
says Draper. “In the last few years we have seen the number of
schools able to participate in Mock Trial shrink by 10 percent. To
reverse this trend, and strengthen Mock Trial, the State Bar encourages
you to show your support for Mock Trial, and for Wisconsin’s
children, by donating to this worthy program. There’s no better
time than now, as you consider this charitable opportunity. An
investment in Mock Trial is an investment in our children’s
future.”
Support the awards banquet. Financial contributions
will help fund a special celebration at the Awards Banquet celebration
on March 16 in Madison. For information about sponsoring the awards
banquet, contact State Bar LRE Coordinator Dee Runaas at (800) 444-9404, ext.
6191, or (608) 250-6191.
Make a donation to the Wisconsin Law Foundation Mock Trial
Designated Fund. The WLF is a 501(c)3 organization; all gifts
are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. To make a donation,
visit the foundation web page or
contact Laura Emerson at (800)
444-9404, ext. 6015, or (608) 250-6015.
It’s not too late to volunteer. Judges and
lawyers still are needed for the regional tournament at statewide
locations on Feb. 9 and the state competition in Madison on March 16.
To volunteer, contact Dee
Runaas.
Wisconsin
Lawyer February 2008: Teens Test Their Mettle in Mock Trials -
February 7, 2008, Wisconsin Lawyer
Inside the
Bar