27th Annual National High School Mock Trial Championship Tournament

The Pennsylvania Bar Association invites you to join us in welcoming the 2010 National High School Mock Trial Championship competition to Philadelphia this May 6-9. This is the first time in 12 years that the national competition has been held in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania legal community looks forward to providing the stage for this unique educational program and to welcoming more than 40 state-champion and regional mock trial teams from around the nation and across the world.

The NHSMTC is the premiere national law-related academic tournament for high school students. Mock trial programs are designed to give students an inside perspective on the legal system, providing them with an understanding of the mechanism through which society chooses to resolve many of its disputes. Participation in a performance-based, hands-on program of this nature provides students with a practical knowledge about how our legal system operates and who the major players are in that system. Mock trial programs help develop young citizens who can sustain and build our nation by making a reasoned and informed commitment to democracy.

Participation in a mock trial program provides students with the opportunity to improve important life skills, including oral advocacy, critical thinking and effective communication. Quality preparation, teamwork and the importance of following the rules are also emphasized. These attributes will benefit mock trial students throughout their lives, regardless of their chosen careers.

The education of young people is the primary goal of any mock trial program. Healthy competition fosters attainment of this goal. The Pennsylvania Bar Association looks forward to providing an educational experience for high school mock trial students that is challenging, competitive and fun. Welcome to the 27th Annual National High School Mock Trial Championship, and may the best team win!

Drexel University is a proud partner of the PBA Young Lawyers Division Statewide Mock Trial Competition and the leadership sponsor of the 2010 championship tournament.