In October, the Massachusetts Bar Association is proud to join attorneys around the country in support of Pro Bono Month -- a collective effort to promote volunteerism to meet the legal needs of the most vulnerable people in our society. Pro bono service is an important part of being an attorney in Massachusetts, and we encourage you to volunteer for one of our pro bono initiatives.
In honor of Pro Bono Month, this month in eJournal we will be highlighting several volunteer opportunities available at the MBA.
Do you enjoy working with students? Do you have trial experience? Would you like to share your knowledge of the law and courtroom procedures with eager young minds? Volunteer as an attorney coach or judge in the annual Massachusetts Bar Association High School Mock Trial Program.
Since 1985, the MBA has hosted an annual, statewide High School Mock Trial Program to help students learn more about the law, court procedures and our legal system, and give them an opportunity to sharpen their analytical, listening and speaking skills. Members of the MBA serve as attorney coaches and judges for the Mock Trial Program, while thousands of high school students across Massachusetts participate. Students prepare a hypothetical case and then test their skills as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated courtroom competition.
The 2023 competition will be held in-person at participating high schools and with the hope for scheduling subsequent playoff rounds in courthouses.
The following high schools are in need of attorney coaches:
- Arlington Catholic High School
- Argosy Collegiate Charter, Fall River
- Concord Academy
- Groton School
- Fitchburg High School
- Holbrook Middle-High School
- Hopedale Junior and Senior High School
- Leominster High School
- Matignon High School, Cambridge
- Melrose High School
- Natick High School
- Pittsfield High School
- Ralph C. Mahar Regional School, Orange
- Shrewsbury High School
- Sturgis Charter East, Hyannis
- Ursuline Academy, Dedham
Attorneys interested in volunteering their time for this important program should email the Mock Trial Program or call (617) 338-0570.
The Mock Trial Program is administered by the MBA, with support from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation.