If you walk past a Mock Trial meeting, you might hear a student arguing the finer points of the California Evidence Code, or a witness rehearsing a cross-examination. For the 16 students on the LWHS Mock Trial Team, this year has been all about legal strategy, witness prep, and arguing—in the best sense of the word.

California Mock Trial is a simulation of a criminal trial using a hypothetical case, developed by Teach Democracy. Under the guidance of real attorneys who serve as advisors, students from schools across the region and state compete in teams as either the prosecution or the defense, with judges presiding over the trials and scoring the students on their performance. "It’s the court part of Law & Order, but you stick in students instead of adults,” says student leader Samantha L. '27.

While LWHS launched its chapter three years ago, the team has truly taken off this year. Beginning in the fall, these students have devoted countless hours to mastering legal jargon and courtroom processes in preparation for the spring competition season.

Christy Godinez-Jackson, Director of the Center for Civic Engagement, serves as the group’s mentor and has had the pleasure of watching these students develop their skills throughout the season. She is careful to note that she is not their coach. That role—one that many schools hire a paid adult professional to fill—is being impressively filled, with dedication and heart, by Samantha.

As Mock Trial’s student-coach, Samantha writes the curriculum for her peers before each meeting, and has also taught some of the law concepts to her peers. "I love teaching students about the law, expanding my knowledge of the law from our legal advisors, and seeing everyone grow in their speaking and presentation skills," Samantha says. The team is supported by a group of legal advisors who provide expertise, advice, and encouragement to the students.

This high level of preparation is necessary because of the sheer scale of the work Mock Trial demands; for those involved, this is not a low-key extracurricular activity. "It’s a time commitment equivalent to a varsity sport," Samantha explains. "We spend a lot of time prepping, with a close to 100-page case file." The team has worked incredibly hard since last fall, learning the case and, with the help of adult advisors, preparing to stand up in court.

Beyond the lawyer roles, Mock Trial teams also include witnesses, courtroom journalists, and courtroom sketch artists—roles that transform the competition from a simple debate into a full-scale reflection of an actual courtroom. The collective effort of the LWHS team has resulted in big awards for our students this year:

• Talia B. '27 and Tron K. '28 were both named Mock Trial All-Stars, an honor voted on by the Bar Association of San Francisco that recognizes the skill and passion they brought to their roles as attorneys.
• Safiya S. '27 won 1st place as the Courtroom Journalist—first in San Francisco, then at the Statewide level. Safiya is now moving on to represent LWHS and California at the National Competition in Des Moines, Iowa next week.

Congratulations to every member of the team! LWHS Mock Trial is: Aden H. '28, Alyssa O. '28, Cypress J-W. '28, Duncan O. '29, Em S. '28, Jojo C. '28, Kai A. '28, Kalista C. '28, Kian P. '27, Safiya S. '27, Samantha L. '27, Sana W. '28, Sev B. '26, Spencer T. '27, Talia B. '27, Tron K. '28.

As the season closes, Mock Trial’s foundation is stronger than ever and looking forward to the future. "Mock Trial is a club where you get to learn, challenge yourself, and have fun," Samantha says. "It's time-intensive, but if you like debating, acting, arguing, or have interest in law, I highly recommend that you join our team—we always love new people."

Interested in joining next season? Email Samantha to get added to the email list, and/or come to the competition information meeting on May 13th from 11:20-12:55 in the MacLab! Only students who attend this information session are eligible to act as attorneys of central witnesses

Special thanks to our Mock Trial legal advisors: Waqar Hasib (LWHS class of 1994), parent Amber George (Gabo M. '27); parent Heather Coffman (Leo C. '29, Naomi C. '27); parent Arthur Eidelhoch (Marc E. '20, Andrew E. '24); and Sam Melamed of Womble Bond Dickinson.