Students come together from all over the city of New York to litigate their side of a given case. Mock trial is extracurricular programs in which students participate in make believe trials.

      Sullivan & Cromwell LLP provides the attorney advisors, as well as rooms to practice in, materials, and even transportation to accommodate the mock trial students.

      “Sullivan & Cromwell, our firm, really encourages the lawyers here to be involved in what lawyers call pro bono, a concept that basically means lawyers should use our legal training and experiences to be good citizens,” said Andrew Bragin, an attorney advisor.

      Sullivan & Cromwell is an international law firm that was founded in 1879. Midwood High School and Hunter College High School practice for the upcoming trial on the 37^th floor of its headquarters in the financial district of New York City.

      “We get regular e-mails with a long list of pro bono opportunities, everything from helping inmates on death row review their trials to helping artists set up non-profit organizations, to helping tenants in public housing; I saw Midwood – I had done Mock Trial in high school and had a friend who went to Midwood way back when and I was sold on trying it out,” said Andrew Bragin.

      This year’s trial is The people of the State of New York vs. Shawn Miller. This case deals with childhood friends who get into the financial business together and end up being convicted for securities fraud. Midwood High School’s mock trial team is divided into the prosecution, who will try to prove that Shawn Miller was aware of a securities fraud in his company, and the defense, who will try to reason that Shawn himself knew nothing of the fraud.

      Everyone from the students to the mentor attorneys and even the kitchen staff at Sullivan & Cromwell (who has to provide extra brownies for hungry teenagers) works hard to prepare for and make mock trial a success.

      “To be a part of mock trial, I work later two hours a day for two days a week but that’s just part of being a lawyer and it is fun working with enthusiastic kids. It is different from working with lawyers,” said Andrew D. Pietro, an attorney advisor.

      Last year, Midwood was not able to go on to the finals because this extracurricular activity interfered with the students’ school work. Mock trial is a commitment that takes a lot out of a regular student. This includes being at the practices every Tuesday and Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. Aside from being present at every single meeting, mock lawyers and students must review multiple pages of affidavits, rules, and evidence.

      “Midwood usually does really well, the other schools we go against are unprepared compared to us but last year, I had a lot of school work and towards the end of the competition, I just gave up, we all kind of gave up I guess,” said Michelle Rozenblyum ’11.

      The only role that a student is not allowed to play is the role of a judge. After all, this is a competition, not a school play; the trial must be judged professionally. Everyone from Lawyers to professional judges judge the competition. This year, Victoria A. Graffeo, Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals will judge the tournament. The New York State Semi-Finals and Finals will be held in Albany May 23 through the 25, 2010.

      The prosecution and defense of the same school do not compete against each other. In round one, Midwood High School’s defense team will be facing off against Tottenville High School’s prosecution team on Wednesday, February 24, 2010. In round two, Midwood High School’s prosecution team will be competing against Samuel J. Tilden High School on Tuesday, March 2, 2010.

      “We have nothing to worry about; I’ve seen in the past that the schools we go up against are not as confident or well prepared as Midwood is. We are so going to beat them this year, last year was just bad luck,” said Stephen Powell, ’11.

      Many students participating in mock trial were a part of moot court which seemed to please the attorney advisors a great deal.

      “It’s great that many of you are juniors; you are all coming back next year. Everyone is a senior in High School and they can’t compete again,” said Andrew D. Pietro.

      Moot court is a mock court where students argue about cases. According to students in mock trial who was involved in moot court, mock trial incorporates more action since it revolves around trial lawyers.

      “There were no witnesses that testified in moot court. In fact, there were no pieces for evidence or even any real lawyers for that matter. We basically focused on how a case should be argued and what rules we would apply to the cases. These rules all have to be supported by another previous court case,” said Stephen Powell ’11.

      Amanda Walsh ’11, a participant in both moot court and mock trial states that last year, Midwood High School won the first round, but did not rate high enough to go to the third round.

      “I enjoy it and learn a lot from it. Watching you guys figure out how a trial runs, learn the evidence rules, appreciate the decorum of the court and respect we have for judges, and get interested in law is downright inspiring.  Also, seeing you guys prepare for and then perform well in competition is a satisfying feeling – many lawyers have a bit of a competitive side, and Midwood usually prepares hard and does well,” said Andrew Bragin.