LCBA and Lee Schools Conclude Another Successful Local Mock Trial Season

Fort Myers, FL, March 04, 2016 --(PR.com)-- The Lee County Bar Association is pleased to announce the annual High School Mock Trial Competition, which it sponsors, was another outstanding success. Facilitated by Mock Trial Co-chairs Karla Campos-Andersen, Esq. and Indera Singh, Esq., Lee County Schools and dozens of volunteers serving as volunteer coaches and judges, competitions for Lee County and the entire Twentieth Judicial Circuit were held in January and February, respectively. Fort Myers High School will now go on to represent the circuit at The Mock Trial State Finals Competition, held March 17-19, 2016 at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando.

Presented by the Florida Law Related Education Association (FLREA), which is funded in part by The Florida Bar Foundation, the Florida High School Mock Trial Competition is an academic competition in which a team of six to eight students simulate the roles of both attorneys and witnesses in a fictional trial situation. Students have approximately five months to prepare for their roles.

According to FLREA, “This is the most hands-on, intensive learning simulation about the trial process available to high school students.”

The LCBA is pleased to continue supporting mock trial year after year, as its focus on expanding young people’s civics education and engagement fits into the multi-year LCBA Cares initiative – a commitment to providing community outreach and enhancing members’ experience as practitioners and participants in the community.

Competing in the county round were Canterbury School, Island Coast High School, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, two teams from Ida Baker High School and returning champs, Fort Myers High School. In the circuit round, Fort Myers High School came up against worthy opponents Charlotte High School representing our county to the north and Gulf Coast High School from Collier County.

Many participants won individual awards. In the circuit competition, FMHS student Matt DiBiase won Best Opening Statement and Best Defensive Attorney, with teammate Mallory McGovern being named Best Prosecution Witness.

Competition was fierce, especially given a high number of objections, which made for some exciting moments. Second-year Co-chair Karla Campos-Andersen began participating as a freshman at Mariner High School in 1994, when it was just her alma mater and FMHS representing the county. She said, “The kids were beyond prepared, yet able to think on their feet. There is a lot that goes into putting this program together, and it would not be possible without the dedication of the legal community, and all of the amazing volunteers and sponsors.”

About the Lee County Bar Association
The Lee County Bar Association, a 501c6 not-for-profit organization, has served the citizens and legal community of Lee County since 1949 and has a current membership of almost 800. For more information, visit www.leebar.org or contact President Scott Atwood, Esquire at (239) 898-4130 or scott@atwoodlawfirm.com or Executive Director Sharon Brotherton at (239) 334-0047.