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By the Juris Education Interview Team
Kaelyn Tai is the President of the Purdue Mock Trial team.
Every year, Mock Trial tends to have two seasons, fall and spring, which both handle the same case. In the fall, invitational tournaments are hosted, which are meant to hone team skills and case theories. Then, in the spring, the American Mock Trial Association will release case changes to rebalance the case and make things fresh. During this time, programs usually “stack” their teams to have the most competitive edge for the competitive season. Each team will usually have 8-10 people, and will build two theories, one for Defense and one for Prosecution/Plaintiff. Usually at a competition, teams will compete twice for each theory, four times in total. Each team’s members play both the witnesses and the attorneys. Both teams perform opening and closing statements, direct examinations for their own witnesses, and crosses for the opposing witnesses. Each round takes at most 3 hours, but generally less.
Practicing law early is not the only benefit of Mock Trial. Students get to build public speaking skills, argumentation skills, and hone their logic skills, as each case requires analyzing complex problems with hundreds of ways to solve them. Mock trial teaches students to think on their feet, communicate clearly under pressure, and analyze complex information, skills that are valuable in any profession. Finally, you build real relationships with people that you are going to be friends with for the rest of your life. Mock trial requires a lot of commitment, so members spend hours together every week, bonding with teammates. Being in close proximity with these people hones your teamwork and collaboration skills in such a way that I believe cannot be replicated anywhere else.
No matter how much you prepare, things will always go wrong. There will always be a surprise theory that you didn’t expect or a judge ruling that you vehemently disagree with. Mock trial really pushes your ability to stay calm, adapt quickly, and make smart decisions in the moment. I think that feeds into the most rewarding aspect as well. There’s a real sense of accomplishment in handling those moments well, when you stay composed, respond effectively, and realize that your preparation and instincts paid off. This year, I remember watching a first-year teammate handle crossing a witness with a demo for the first time, using his ingenuity to instantly discredit the witness’ testimony. As much as it’s fun to feel proud of your own moments, there is not a single thing in Mock Trial that feels more rewarding than your team doing well, especially after a hard match.
Mock trial helps students feel prepared for a career in law because it simulates so many aspects of real legal practice. For the most part, it is unrealistic to gain experience working in a real court of law before graduating law school. For many, students are able to practice their skills as an attorney and build cases. It teaches you how to build a persuasive case, respond to challenges on the spot, and work as part of a legal team, skills that translate directly to law school and legal careers. Students participating in Mock Trial practice examining and crossing witnesses, objections and exceptions, and even basic courtroom etiquette. Time and time again, judges tell us they’ve seen 3Ls struggle to simulate the trial experience as well as undergraduates in mock trial, and that’s because of the time and practice that we spend on perfecting performances.
By participating! To make the most out of the Mock Trial experience, it is best to treat it as a professional legal opportunity and not just an extracurricular. The people who love mock trial the most are often the best. That means putting in the time to deeply understand the case, practicing consistently, and being open to feedback. It also helps to step outside your comfort zone, try new roles, like opening statements or character witnessing, and learn from teammates with different strengths. You definitely get back what you put into it. The more you bring to your team and to Mock Trial, the more skills you learn that will transfer to the rest of your legal career.
My advice is to consider what you’re looking for the most, whether it's building courtroom skills, improving public speaking, preparing for law school, or just finding a network of future lawyers you want to connect with. Then look for teams that align with those goals. Some teams focus more on legal accuracy, while others emphasize performance and storytelling. Talk to past participants, research the format and judging criteria, and think about the kind of environment where you’ll learn and grow the most. It’s also important to consider the level of time commitment and team dynamic that fits your schedule and style. Most college teams have social media accounts, so feel free to dive into the different teams that interest you, (and it wouldn't hurt to reach out to them if you have any questions!)
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