2022 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational

 The 2022 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational was held virtually on March 11-13, 2022, adding yet one more successful Invitational to the many that have preceded this Invitational, and thus reinforcing the relevance and value of annually hosting such a Project for all of the participants. Teams of students and their coaches representing fifty high schools from throughout Illinois participated in their long-awaited and painstakingly rehearsed trials on the first two days via Zoom. The top eight scoring teams in the regular rounds (in alphabetical order) were Bartlett High School, Evanston High School, Highland Park High School, Naperville North High School, Niles West High School, Stevenson High School, Timothy Christian High School, and Whitney M. Young Magnet School. 

These eight teams then competed for the top three awards on Sunday, March 13, 2022. Third place went to Stevenson High School; second place went to Niles West High School; and first place was awarded to Timothy Christian High School. Timothy Christian High School will thus represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which will also be held virtually this year. 

The winner of the 2022 Donna E. Schechter Memorial Law Test Award for the highest team score on the written law exam was York Community High School. 

The 2022 Invitational was a success due to the hard work and enthusiasm of the teams and their coaches, families, and other supporters, and the dedication of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law-Related Education for the Public, the Mock Trial Coordinator, Katy Flannagan, and ISBA staff members, and Empire Mock Trial staff. Thanks and recognition also are extended by the ISBA and its LRE Committee to the many judges, attorneys, paralegals, law students, and others who generously volunteered their time to serve as presiding judges, jurors/evaluators, and Blue Shirts (bailiffs) for each trial. The Law-Related Education Committee appreciates the support and hard work of these entities and individuals. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2023, as well as new teams and new volunteers!! 

A full list of participating schools and volunteers and general information about the Mock Trial Invitational will be posted on the ISBA Mock Trial website at: http://www.isba.org/teachers/mocktrial.