Minnesota State Bar Association Mock Trial Training October 23, 2007 Minneapolis, Minnesota Honorable Janice M. Culnane State of Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings

Ready for the challenge?  The preparation  The planning  The practice

Welcome to Mock Trial Your opportunity to develop a practical understanding of the American Legal System.

We look at the legal system with a critical eye.  Globally  Locally  Personally

Laws can….  Establish Predictability  Provide Equity  Maintain Order  Create Protection  Ensure Safety

Legal system needs societal acceptance to work.  Differing views  Polarization  Independence  Tension  Responsiveness

Lawyer Professionalism  Builds public trust  Keeps legal system on track  Self-regulated

The work of lawyers is varied….

Proactive Legal Advice  Documents  Contracts  Establish Policies  Create fair and dependable processes

Resolution of Disputes  Discuss problems informally  Arbitration or Mediation  Initiate Litigation  Settlement  Courtroom Proceedings  Mock Trial

Professionalism Standards  Must work in a variety of situations  Strictly enforced  Consequences for non-compliance

Mock Trial participation is legal experience.

Professionalism is part of the Mock Trial Competition.

MOCK TRIAL Outstanding Professional Outstanding Professional Performance Award Performance Award*Individual*Team *Attorney Coach

Lawyer conduct is governed by the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct and Lawyer Professional Aspirations

Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct High Standards Strict Consequences Beyond Mock Trial Competition

Professional Aspirations Judges and lawyers will conduct themselves according to high professional standards and commit to: dignity, Judges and lawyers will conduct themselves according to high professional standards and commit to: dignity, integrity, and independence. integrity, and independence.

Professional Conduct The substance of lawyering. The substance of lawyering.

Professional Conduct  Defines your relationship with your client.  Shapes the telling of the story.  Is the starting point.  Becomes the compass.

Professional Aspirations for Judges Judges will maintain Judges will maintain control, recognizing the obligation and authority to insure all proceedings are conducted in a civil manner. When judges observe uncivilized conduct, the judge will call it to the attention of attorneys.

Selected Professional Aspirations for Lawyers in Mock Trials We will conduct ourselves with honesty. Our word is our bond. Our word is our bond. We will treat the judge, attorneys and witnesses in a civil and courteous manner. We will abstain from disparaging personal remarks or acrimony. We will disagree without being disagreeable. We will not ask a question for the purpose of harassing or embarrassing anyone. We will not engage in conduct which brings disorder or disruption.

Consider Outstanding Professional Performance Awards  Forms in your packet of materials.  We want to hear from YOU.

Thanks.