Pre-Law and Mock Trial Summer Academy

Learn about the law as part of an immersive trial advocacy experience!

Taught by a distinguished member of the Rutgers Law faculty, this program is designed for anyone who has an interest in the law and government, who is considering a career in the legal field, who currently participates in or may want to participate in mock trial competitions, or who wishes to hone public speaking and advocacy skills.

Over the course of the week, you will learn the basics of civil and criminal law, sources of law, and the creation of law. Interactive lessons, mock trials, film clips, courtroom visits, and guest lecturers will provide you with a dynamic introduction to the constantly changing legal field. You will also be exposed to the many diverse career opportunities available in the legal field.

This specialized program will also advance your college preparedness by:

Enhancing your critical and analytical skills
Boosting your academic and personal confidence
Informing your college interest and career choice

Academy Overview

Who
Students completing their sophomore and junior year, ages 16 to 18 by Summer 2025

What
A residential, in-person summer program for pre-college students to learn about the legal field and gain experience through mock trials

When
July 13 - July 19, 2025

Where
Rutgers–New Brunswick in New Jersey

Daily Sample Schedule

Below is the sample schedule for a student in the Pre-Law and Mock Trial Academy.

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Students will move into their on-campus residential dorm.

Monday

8:30am	Registration and Breakfast
9:00am	Welcome, Overview, Introduction of Faculty, and Icebreaker
10:00am	Fundamentals of the Law and Trial Advocacy • Legal terminology • Trial participants and their roles • Courtroom decorum • Trial structure • Case theory • Introduction of Kipling v. United States
11:30am	Examinations • How to write a direct and cross examination • Demonstration from Kipling v. United States
12:30pm	Working lunch, begin case discussion (good/bad facts)
2:00pm	Trial Speeches • How to write an opening and closing • Demonstration from Kipling v. United States
3:00pm	Witnesses • Learning to play an effective witness • Improvisation exercises
4:00pm	Team meeting and assignment of team roles
5:00pm	Explanation of 5 minute drills for the following day
6:00pm	Dinner and evening cohort activities

Tuesday

8:30am	Breakfast
9:00am	5 Minute Drills - Direct Examination
9:30am	Evidence • Relevance and its exceptions • Character evidence • Competency and impeachment • Expert testimony • Hearsay and its exceptions • Authentication
12:00pm	Lunch
1:00pm	5 Minute Drills - Cross Examination
1:30pm	What Lawyers Do • Panel of guest speakers
2:30pm	An introduction to law school • Panel of law school faculty and law students
3:30pm	Team meeting, assignments, time to work collaboratively
5:00pm	Explanation of the following day; day 2 programming concludes
6:00pm	Dinner and evening cohort activities

Wednesday

8:30am	Breakfast
9:00am	Objections • Identifying objectionable evidence • Arguing objections • Demonstration from Kipling v. United States
9:30am	Mock Trial Team Practice
12:30pm	Lunch
1:30pm	Making objections game
2:00pm	Mock Trial Team Practice
5:00pm	Explanation of the following day
6:00pm	Dinner and evening cohort activities

Thursday

8:30am	Breakfast in the dining hall
9:00am	Field trip: location and timing TBD
5:00pm	Explanation of the following day
6:00pm	Dinner and evening cohort activities

Friday

8:30am	Breakfast
9:00am	Final Team Meeting
9:30am	Mock Trial #1
12:00pm	Lunch
1:00pm	Mock Trial #2
4:00pm	Closing Ceremony
5:00pm	Programing Concludes; Dinner and evening activities with cohort