HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — A team of Hofstra Law Students have coached the Hempstead High School Mock Trial team to a first round victory in the New York State Bar Association 2010 Mock Trial Tournament.
“We at Hofstra Law are so proud of our coaches and Hempstead High School students,” said Dean Nora V. Demleitner. “Hofstra Law students excel at and enjoy coaching and mentoring the high school students, which in turn piques their interest in careers in the law. We wish them the best of luck on Wednesday and beyond as they continue in the competition.”
In only their second year as a team, Hempstead High School placed in the top 32 teams in Nassau County by winning both sessions in their first round. The team will face off against Lawrence Woodmere Academy at the intermediate round on Wednesday, March 3rd.
The Hofstra Law coaching staff, lead by Head Coach Evan Hess, have been working with the Hempstead High School mock trial team several times per week to prepare for the competition. A core team of more than ten law students participate, representing every year (1L, 2L and 3L) of legal education. They lead high-level practices that include intensive coaching and instruction on trial procedures, analytical thinking, and public speaking skills.
Over the past two years, the mock trial program has fostered personal bonds between team members and their mentors. Law school faculty, alumni, and staff also have been intimately involved in the development of the program.
Professors Andrew Schepard and Theo Liebmann have dedicated many hours to directly working with the team and also with the law students to develop a coaching plan. Hempstead High School teacher Hillary Light, and Franca Sachs, Director of the Family Law Programs at Hofstra Law, oversee practices and manage the coaches. Light and Sachs both are alumni of Hofstra Law School.
