Our Interview With Lillie Sunby, President Of The Mock Trial at UW-Madison

Lillie Sunby is the President of the Mock Trial at UW-Madison.

1. What are some of the biggest takeaways or real-world benefits that students gain from participating in a moot court competition?‍

There are so many benefits for participating in mock trial, overall it gives students a supportive community where they can develop public speaking skills. Participants learn crucial aspects of public speaking and get opportunities to practice in high pressure environments. For the strongest mock trial teams, everyone understands their own role as well as the roles of their teammates. Mock trial encourages students to collaborate to develop cohesive arguments and teaches them to communicate and work together towards a common goal.

‍2. What's the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of participating in such a competition?‍

It's a very subjective activity, and different styles resonate with different kinds of judges. Because of this, competitions can be challenging, as you can put a lot of time and effort into your work and still receive different feedback depending on who is watching. At the same time, this subjectivity is what makes the activity so unique and rewarding. Rather than trying to match what everyone else is doing to fit a single standard, it allows individuals to thrive because of their differences. This gives people the opportunity to discover and utilise their own voice in a unique way.

‍3. How would you say moot court helps students feel prepared for a career in law?‍

Mock trial gives students experience in creative thinking, working under tight deadlines, and developing arguments within a case. Overall, the most important way mock trial prepares students for a law career is by teaching them to think on their feet and respond in real time. While you can spend hours preparing the perfect case, success in mock trial ultimately depends on the ability to adapt, go off script, and react to what others are doing in trial. It's a difficult skill to learn but essential for anyone going into law.

‍4. What advice would you give to those who are trying to find the right moot court competition for them?‍

Think about what you want to get out of the activity; whether it be legal experience, public speaking, or just to make friends. Every mock trial program is different so reach out and get involved! Attend information sessions that teams offer, shoot them an email, or even message them on social media. Give it a shot because mock trial might be the perfect fit for you!

We're proud to interview experts like Lillie Sunby to help future lawyers understand the benefits of extracurricular involvement. Learn more about how the experts at Juris Education can help you get into law school today.