Mock trial preparation has started in full force. This week has involved pulling everything I’ve learned in class and at RumbergerKirk this summer to begin prepping each section of the mock trial.
On Monday, the week started off with a field trip down to the Miami-Dade Courthouse with Administrative Partner Scott Sarason, associate Jessica Kerbel, and Andy Co to see a special hearing with Judge Rebull that the firm’s Director of Professionalism a, Career and Skill Development Paul Lipton set up for us! It was great to see a back and forth direct and cross examination in a real court room as a we prepped for our workshop this week and for the mock trial. When we returned back to the office, we gathered in the boardroom for the Associate College presentation on trial prep. Following lunch, Andy and I got to sit in on Scott’s motion to dismiss hearing which was granted!
On Tuesday, the firm underwent training on Artificial Intelligence to understand its advantages and disadvantages. I spent the rest of the day prepping for the Direct and Cross Examination Workshop and gathering notes for the mock trial. Scott had given us his outline of questions for a cross examination he had done at trial which was a great model for understanding the flow of questions.
Later in the week I sat in on partner Suzanne Singer’s deposition she was defending in an employment discrimination case. It was interesting to be able to spot things I learned about the formation of questions during the direct questioning. Additionally, I made note of objections made to start to try to get an idea for the upcoming workshop and mock trial!
On Thursday, the summer associates all attended the Direct and Cross Examination Workshop. We each got to practice on direct, cross, and as the plaintiff! It was a great hands-on experience and it was fun to be able to do it with my fellow summer associates. Following the workshop, I prepped more mock trial materials for our practice on Friday and began working on a motion for judgment on the pleadings for a personal injury case. After the work day, associates Erin Weinstock, Jessica Kerbel and Jordan Benatar, Andy, and I attended the MDB Young Lawyers Section’s Summer Associate Happy Hour. It was a great chance to network with other firms and we ate dinner together after the event at Pub Belly Sushi!
By Friday, my partner Paige and I were ready for our first mock trial practice. We’ve received great support and feedback from the associates and partners helping us. Next week will continue to be grind time for the mock trial!
