HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Hofstra Law School has received funding from alumna Joan Hermanowski ‘76, Chair and Sole Shareholder of Americable International, to establish a 2-year pilot mock trial program at Hempstead High School. The goal of the program is to expose Hempstead High School students to the legal process and careers in law, as well as to develop their critical thinking and communication skills. The Law School will work with the students to prepare a team to compete in the New York State High School Mock Trial Tournament, sponsored by the New York Bar Foundation and the New York State Bar Law, Youth & Citizenship Program.
The program will be coordinated by Professor Andrew Schepard, Director of the Law School’s Center for Children, Families and the Law, and Chy Davidson, Principal of the Academy of Law & Government, one of several small learning communities at Hempstead High School. Approximately 18 students from the Academy of Law & Government will be selected to participate based on leadership potential, communication skills, commitment, and potential to succeed in the program. Along with Professor Schepard, Hofstra Law students will work with the trial team at the start of the school year to prepare them for the first round of trial competition in February of 2009. As part of the competition, the high school students will conduct a trial from start to finish in front of actual judges.
Hofstra Law School Dean Nora V. Demleitner remarked, “We are so grateful to Joan Hermanowski for supporting this extremely worthwhile program that will educate young people in our community about the law and legal careers. We also hope that the committed law students involved in the program recognize the importance of giving back and ultimately consider joining and volunteering with the bar.”
