Students in UPLIFT Legal Institute for Teens Hold Mock Trials at Mitchell Hamline School of Law and St. Thomas School of Law

A record number of students from St. Louis Park Middle School, Columbia Academy, and Roseville Area Middle School presented criminal mock trials this month before Minnesota judges as part of their participation in UPLIFT Legal Institute for Teens. Held at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and Mitchell Hamline School of Law, the mock trials were the culmination of a six-month program in which students were trained by volunteer coaches, including law students and attorneys from Maslon and the broader legal community. UPLIFT coaches also led teams from Roseville Area High School and Columbia Heights High School in the mock trial competition run by the Minnesota State Bar Association.

The current cohort is once again the largest in UPLIFT's history, with the addition of Roseville Area High School and a total participation of 93 students. To date, 414 school students have completed the program, which is free of charge.

Launched by Maslon in 2017, UPLIFT is a legal diversity pipeline nonprofit serving middle and high school students reflecting the rich diversity of the Twin Cities. The afterschool mock trial program is taught by volunteer attorneys and law students who meet with participating students throughout the academic year, teaching them about criminal trials, rights, and the legal profession. Participation in the program helps students build confidence, develop analytical and speaking skills, foster long term vision, and create a framework to pursue academic excellence in high school.

This year's participants were assigned to teams representing either the prosecution or defense in the fictional case of State of Minnesota v. Coco St. Clair, which involves a fatal shooting that occurred during a dress rehearsal of an original play titled Burr during the famous Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr duel. To lend authenticity to the experience, students presented their cases before sitting Minnesota judges, including Maslon alumnus Martin Fallon of the First Judicial District, Mariam Mokri and Bridget Sullivan of the Fourth Judicial District, Der Yang of the Second Judicial District, and Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge JaPaul Harris. Volunteer coaches from Maslon included Nate Ajouri, Clayton Carlson, Gioia Gentile, Evan Nelson, Terry Newby, Renee Rice, and firm alum Cooper Ashley.

"The UPLIFT mock trial program serves as an opportunity for Twin Cities youth to see themselves as attorneys—at a time in their lives when it's soon enough to make a difference for their future," said Maslon Public Interest/DEI Counsel CB Baga. "The students grow so much throughout the year, finding their voice, developing their insights, and standing on their feet in the courtroom. Our volunteers are able to work closely with the students on their teams in a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio, which results in meaningful mentorship. The conversation starts with preparing for this first trial, and quickly develops into how to prepare for high school, college—and by the end of the season, the path to law school."

UPLIFT was founded by former Maslon attorney Catherine Ahlin-Halverson.