Law Education and Participation (LEAP)

Temple-LEAP's mission is to educate non-lawyers, particularly middle and high school students from Philadelphia area schools, about the law and citizenship. Started in 1974, LEAP reaches these goals by teaching about principles of democracy while developing critical reading, writing and thinking skills. The cornerstone of Temple-LEAP is the John S. Bradway High School Mock Trial Competition. The Temple-LEAP office administers the Philadelphia competition together with other programs that engage non-lawyers to learn more about the law and civic education.

LEAP is particularly honored by the participation of Jim Beasley of The Beasley Firm, which is a Temple-LEAP sponsor.  The Young Lawyer’s Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association also collaborates with Temple-LEAP on coordinating the camp and recruiting coaches and judges.

John S. Bradway High School Mock Trial Competition
Each year, the John S. Bradway High School Mock Trial Competition brings together students from over 50 public, private, charter and parochial schools in the Philadelphia area to present a simulated case trial. The competition enables students to learn courtroom tactics, debate tactics, as well as critical thinking and public speaking skills. The City Champion represents the region in the state competition and has a chance to go to the national level. The Mock Trial experience has enriched the lives of many student participants, prompting many students who were not on the college path to attend college and even law school.

2013 Competition Information and Important Dates
Preparation for the 2013 Mock Trial Competition season is underway. The 2013 season starts with the Mock Trial Camp on Saturday, November 10, 2012. The Philadelphia competition ends on Saturday, March 16, 2013 with the City Championship at Temple Law School.  The State competition will be held in Harrisburg, PA. This year's National Competition will be held during the first week of May 2013 in Indianapolis Indiana.

Volunteering for the 2013 Competition
Over 250 attorneys and law students must come together to make the mock trials work. Attorneys are needed to help coach high school teams and serve as scorekeeping and presiding judges. Law students can also participate as scorekeeping judges and coaches (2L and 3L). Coaches are asked to commit at least 15 - 20 hours to a team and help students develop theory, speeches and witness examinations. Scorekeeping judges evaluate and score the trial techniques. Presiding judges rule on objections at trial. Attorneys in all practice areas are eligible to serve as coaches. Attorneys who have given their time to serve as coaches have found the experience to be extremely rewarding.

Notices:

Mock Trial Training Camp: November 10, 2012

The Mock Trial Camp is organized in a joint effort by Temple-LEAP and the Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association. It is an intensive all-day event that couples an instructive component with hands-on training in direct and cross-examination of parties and witnesses. Philadelphia public, private, and parochial school students participating in this event get a preview of this year's case as they work alongside attorneys and law students to practice their trial skills. The students will have the chance to experience a real law school class, taught by Temple’s renowned trial advocacy faculty. During the camp, students learn the skills necessary to successfully handle the basic components of a trial and get the opportunity to practice in front of Temple Law students and members of the Philadelphia legal community.

The Mock Trial Training Camp takes place on Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Temple University's Beasley School of Law, located at 1719 North Broad Street. 

Students attending this event must pre-register at leap@temple.edu and are required to read the 2013 Pennsylvania Mock Trial Case Material.