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LEGAL COMMUNITY NEWS
This section features current news and events of interest to the local legal community. News items may be submitted to communications@cincybar.org.
This year’s Ohio Mock Trial case addresses the issue of possible overreach by high school officials. Here, the question stems from a TikTok prank gone wrong that ultimately leads to criminal charges being brought against a star Ohio
student. As high school students across the Greater Cincinnati area prepare to compete, we need the help of our legal commu- nity to provide guidance, feedback, and perspective.
We are excited to be back in person at the Hamilton County Mock Trial
Courthouse! The Cincinnati Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section is looking for more than 100 volunteer lawyers for the 2023 Mock Trial Competition. Local attorneys give back to competition
the community by sharing knowledge and enthusiasm for the practice of law as volunteer judges in the competition. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer or have no experience with the Mock Trial competition, your assistance is critical to the success of the program.
For more than 30 years, this program has given students a practical introduction to the justice system, the Constitution, and the legal process by giving them the Volunteers
opportunity to participate in mock trials as either lawyers or witnesses. In the hour-long simulated trial, students present opening statements, cross-examine, are cross-ex- amined, and more.
Needed
The Cincinnati Bar Association will again host district and regional competitions for greater Cincin- nati. For this to be successful, volunteer attorneys are vital to preside as judges over both rounds of compe- 1/11/23
tition. During the trial, judges observe, grade, and provide feedback on the performances of the students. The level of dedication and enthusiasm by the students is always impressive. Students truly appreciate the 2/17/23
participation and thoughts of local attorneys. You can be a part of this exciting opportunity to impact local high school students.
The program is sponsored locally by the Cincin- nati Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section and fully endowed by the Cincinnati Bar Foundation. More than 350 students from approximately 22 area high schools participate each year. As co-chairs of the Young Lawyer Section’s Mock Trial Committee, Kristin Riebsomer (Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincin- nati) and Cecelia Tió (Lumin Digital) encourage each of you to take this opportunity to be involved and support local students interested in the practice of law.
This year, the district competition will take place on Friday, January 27, 2023 with rounds at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The regional competition will follow on Friday, February 17, 2023 (times to be announced). If you are interested in volunteering as a judge, please By Kristin Riebsomer and Cecelia Tió
contact Ethan Barnes at the Cincinnati Bar Association: ebarnes@cincybar.org.
For more information on the 2023 case, please visit the Ohio Center for Law Related Education’s website at http://oclre.org/aws/OCLRE/pt/sp/mocktrial_highschool. If you Funding for the Hamilton County
have enjoyed judging in the past or wish to become even more engaged with a high school Mock Trial Competition provided by:
mock trial team, consider becoming a legal advisor. Please contact the Ohio Center for Law Related Education at 614-485-3507 for more information.
We hope you will join us! — Kristin and Cecelia
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THE REPORT | November/December 2022 | CincyBar.org