On February 5, more than 100 middle school and high school students participated in a mock-trial academy at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where they attended courses on the rules of evidence and other facets of legal analysis and trial practice. The academy was organized by Sarah Barrios and James Cool, who began the annual academy as first-year law students four years ago.
The middle school students, all from schools in Casa Grande, stayed for a panel on higher education and legal careers, followed by dinner with members of the HNBA mentoring program. The panel featured five members of the mentoring program: Undergrad Linda Mendoza, 1L Shannon Guy, 2L Adam Almaraz, attorney Jessica Sanchez, and College of Law Director of Admissions Marisol Diaz. The panel members gave advice on success in school and described the life and work of a lawyer. During the dinner, student and attorney mentors sat with the middle school visitors and provided friendship and guidance over pizza.
The academy lunch and mentoring dinner were sponsored by the Law School Admissions Council and the Hispanic National Bar Association.