Coached by a core group of Hofstra Law students, the Hempstead High School Mock Trial Team won their first round in the New York State Mock Trial Tournament on Tuesday, February 9th.

Round two of the competition is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24th. In the meantime, Hofstra Law students will continue to conduct practices and help the team hone their trial procedures, analytical thinking, and public speaking skills. This year the legal focus of the competition is both complicated and timely: A criminal case involving two business associates accused of securities fraud.

Over the past two years, the mock trial program has fostered personal bonds between the high school students and their mentors. Hofstra Law students enjoy coaching and mentoring team members, which in turn piques their interest in careers in the law.

The team is the brain child of three Hofstra Law graduates: Franca Sachs, Executive Director of the Family Law Programs at Hofstra Law, Hempstead High School teacher and team coach Hillary Light, and an alumni donor. 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.