Feb. 22, 2013 – Students from 12 Wisconsin high schools will advance to the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 30th Annual High School Mock Trial semifinal event on Sunday, March 10 at the Dane County Courthouse in Madison.

Each team will have a chance to make their case during the two-day event, beginning with four trials on Sunday and concluding with the top two teams competing in a final round on Monday in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The winning team will go on to represent the state at the National Mock Trial Championship in Indianapolis in May.

“Mock Trial is a great experience for the students. They learn to speak publicly, to think on their feet, and to work together as a team. I have had former students tell me that their experience has helped them in their college and professional careers. One student told me that he was so shy that he couldn't speak in front of his class, but after participating in Mock Trial he was able to confidently give his Valedictorian Speech. Our teams have been made up of students from all social groups, theater groups, athletes, music groups, and other groups, but they bonded and worked together to be a part of a single team,” said State Bar Public Education Committee Chair Kevin Lonergan.

The Mock Trial program provides high school students with an opportunity to act as attorneys and witnesses in a court case that has been developed by State Bar members. This year’s students – in teams of six to 12 – were presented with a criminal case, one that they first argue before a panel of volunteer attorneys and judges and then before the Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices in the final state-level competition.

Next year will bring even more opportunities for Wisconsin students. For the first time in 20 years, the State Bar of Wisconsin will host the National High School Mock Trial Championship.

“Madison will be a great location for the National High School Mock Trial Competition. Both the Dane County Courthouse and the Federal Courthouse are in close proximity to the Capitol, and we are lucky to be able to use both facilities along with the Supreme Court for the competitions. Madison has many restaurants and activities for the students to use while not competing, as well as a wealth of attorneys willing to donate their time to judge and run this prestigious event,” added Lonergan.

Competitors from all over the country will flock to Madison for the National event from May 8 to 10, 2014. For more information about the national championship or if you’d like to get involved in the planning, organizing or funding of the event call (800) 444-9404, ext. 6191 or email PubEdCoordinator@wisbar.org.

2013 Mock Trial Regional Winners

First and second place finishers for each of the 12 schools are listed below. All teams that finished first in each region compete in semifinals, along with two teams that are randomly drawn from all second place teams. This evens out the number of semifinal teams to 12. The 12 semifinalists are: La Crosse Logan Senior High School, River Falls High School (Team 1), River Valley High School, DC Everest High School (Team 2), Kettle Moraine High School (Team 1), Rhinelander High School (Team 1), Lodi High School (Team 1), Xavier High School (Team 1), Brookfield Academy (Team 1), Shorewood High School (Team 2), Superior High School (Team 1) and Lincoln High School (Team 1).

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