Minnesota State Bar Minnesota State Bar AssociationAssociation
Mock Trial TrainingMock Trial Training
October 23, 2007October 23, 2007Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota
Honorable Janice M. CulnaneHonorable Janice M. CulnaneState of MinnesotaState of Minnesota
Office of Administrative HearingsOffice of Administrative Hearings
Ready for the challenge?Ready for the challenge?
The preparationThe preparation The planningThe planning The practiceThe practice
Welcome to Mock TrialWelcome to Mock Trial
Your opportunity to develop Your opportunity to develop
a practical understandinga practical understanding
of the of the
American Legal System.American Legal System.
We look at the legal system with a We look at the legal system with a critical eye.critical eye.
GloballyGlobally LocallyLocally PersonallyPersonally
Laws can….Laws can….
Establish PredictabilityEstablish Predictability Provide EquityProvide Equity Maintain OrderMaintain Order Create ProtectionCreate Protection Ensure SafetyEnsure Safety
Legal system needs societal Legal system needs societal acceptance to work.acceptance to work.
Differing viewsDiffering views Polarization Polarization IndependenceIndependence TensionTension ResponsivenessResponsiveness
Lawyer ProfessionalismLawyer Professionalism
Builds public trustBuilds public trust Keeps legal system on trackKeeps legal system on track Self-regulatedSelf-regulated
The work of lawyers is varied….The work of lawyers is varied….
Proactive Legal AdviceProactive Legal Advice DocumentsDocuments ContractsContracts Establish PoliciesEstablish Policies Create fair and dependable Create fair and dependable
processesprocesses
Resolution of DisputesResolution of Disputes
Discuss problems informallyDiscuss problems informally Arbitration or MediationArbitration or Mediation Initiate LitigationInitiate Litigation SettlementSettlement Courtroom ProceedingsCourtroom Proceedings Mock TrialMock Trial
Professionalism StandardsProfessionalism Standards
Must work in a variety of situationsMust work in a variety of situations Strictly enforcedStrictly enforced Consequences for non-complianceConsequences for non-compliance
MockMockTrial Trial
participationparticipationis is
legallegalexperience.experience.
ProfessionalismProfessionalismis is
partpartofof
the Mock Trial Competition. the Mock Trial Competition.
MOCK TRIALMOCK TRIAL
Outstanding ProfessionalOutstanding Professional
Performance AwardPerformance Award
*Individual*Individual
*Team*Team
*Attorney Coach*Attorney Coach
Lawyer conduct is Lawyer conduct is governed by thegoverned by the
Minnesota Rules of Minnesota Rules of Professional ConductProfessional Conduct
andandLawyer Professional AspirationsLawyer Professional Aspirations
Minnesota Rules ofMinnesota Rules ofProfessional ConductProfessional Conduct
High Standards
Strict Consequences
Beyond Mock Trial Competition
Professional AspirationsProfessional Aspirations
Judges and lawyers will conduct Judges and lawyers will conduct themselves according to high themselves according to high professional standards and commit professional standards and commit to: dignity,to: dignity,
integrity, and integrity, and independence.independence.
ProfessionalProfessionalConductConduct
The substance of The substance of lawyering.lawyering.
Professional ConductProfessional Conduct
Defines your relationship with your Defines your relationship with your client.client.
Shapes the telling of the story.Shapes the telling of the story. Is the starting point.Is the starting point. Becomes the compass.Becomes the compass.
Professional Aspirations forProfessional Aspirations forJudgesJudges
Judges will maintainJudges will maintain control, recognizing the obligation and authority to insure all proceedings are conducted in a civil manner.
When judges observe uncivilized conduct, the judge will call it to the attention of attorneys.
Selected Professional Aspirations for Selected Professional Aspirations for Lawyers in Mock TrialsLawyers in Mock Trials
We will conduct ourselves with honesty.We will conduct ourselves with honesty. Our word is our bond.Our word is our bond.
We will treat the judge, attorneys and witnesses in a civil and courteous manner.
We will abstain from disparaging personal remarks or acrimony.
We will disagree without being disagreeable.
We will not ask a question for the purpose of harassing or embarrassing anyone.
We will not engage in conduct which brings disorder or disruption.
ConsiderConsider Outstanding Professional Outstanding Professional
PerformancePerformance Awards Awards
Forms in your packet of materials.Forms in your packet of materials. We want to hear from YOU.We want to hear from YOU.
Thanks.
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