The attorney's perspective.

• Author: Johnson, Leandra
• Position: Law-related education - Florida

The mock trial experience gives high school students the opportunity to challenge their analytical and speaking abilities in ways they never imagined in a fast-paced match-up of wits with another team. It also gives us, the attorney coaches, the opportunity to convey our real courtroom experiences, ethics, and knowledge of the law in order to foster respect and interest in our profession.

While the primary goals of the mock trial program are to educate young people and to stimulate and encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of the American legal system, the rewards reaped by the attorney coaches involved in the program are immeasurable. Not only do we get the satisfaction of seeing young people sharpen their critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills, but we can take pride in teaching these young people that the legal profession is, indeed, an honorable profession.

At a time when lawyer-bashing jokes are at an all time high, the mock trial program provides a perfect opportunity to turn the tide and teach a new generation of young people that lawyers are not ambulance chasers, or sharks, or only interested in making money. Sure, the program is time consuming, and it requires a firm commitment. But the lessons learned--not just by the students, but also by the attorney coaches--are priceless.

For anyone who has coached a sports team, there is nothing more gratifying than to be in the heat of competition and see the team perform to the best of its ability and apply all the lessons learned in countless hours of practice. Such is the feeling I've felt each time I've traveled to Tallahassee with my mock trial team for the state competition. Each time, I marvel at how teenage high school students transform themselves into articulate, confident, trial "lawyers" when the gavel goes down and the spotlights are on.

The road to Tallahassee, however, doesn't appear by magic. Rather, it's a process of several weeks and months of preparing, learning, training, and practicing.

It all begins with "The Three C's": Confidence, control, and courage.

As a former division chief in the Third Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, one of my duties was to train new prosecutors. I found through the years that without confidence, control, and courage, no one can become a successful trial lawyer. Hence, I developed a system for training new prosecutors in trial practice, which I call "The Three C's." I taught new lawyers, and now teach mock...