In a moment of temporary insanity while perusing the Minnesota State Bar Association website, I found myself looking at a list of area high schools still looking for an attorney coach for this year's mock trial competition. Imagine my surprise when I noticed my alma mater, Farmington High School, on the list.
You all see where this is going...
So yes, nearly 7 and a half years after I last stepped foot in Farmington High School, I will now return on Thursday as a leader of men, er, 30 young mock trialers. I suppose I was compelled to do this as a matter of empathy - as a product of the FHS mock trial squad (2000-2004) - I barely ever had the benefit of an attorney coach, and even at the time, I realized the disadvantage that caused us. Perhaps I was also compelled as a matter of loyalty, which is of course the most important thing. There are certainly more glamorous schools to coach mock trial at.
It made me recall my own years in mock trial. Oddly enough, I never was a lawyer - even the two years I participated at Luther. We were never really all that good - we didn't advance in the regional rounds that I remember, and after my first two years, we were effectively without a coach. We had to coach ourselves.
I can't say I left high school with grand ambitions to be a lawyer, and I wouldn't hope the same for any participants. The point is, to learn about the legal system and to learn the art of storytelling. I warned the adviser that I'm the least experienced lawyer she could get, and still be a real attorney, but I think I can help. One has to think that three years of legal education would allow me to impart some wisdom to a 17 year old...
If I survive, that is.
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