Middle School Students in UPLIFT Legal Institute for Teens Hold Mock Trials at the University of Minnesota Law School

Last week, the students of UPLIFT Legal Institute for Teens—underrepresented groups of eighth graders from St. Louis Park Middle School and Columbia Academy—presented criminal mock trials before Minnesota judges at the University of Minnesota Law School. It was 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.

Launched by Maslon in 2017, UPLIFT is a legal diversity pipeline nonprofit serving middle 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, instructing them on the legal profession, the court system, and key criminal law and practice concepts. 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.

Together with volunteer law students and lawyers from throughout the Twin Cities, Maslon attorneys Nate Ajouri, Clayton Carlson, Jessica Karp, Evan Nelson, Terry Newby, Abbie Maier, Emilio Giuliani III, Emily Liebman, as well as firm alumni Cooper Ashley, Laura Walvoord, and Anna Petosky, served as volunteer coaches.

To date, 237 middle school students have completed the UPLIFT mock trial program since 2017 (the mock trial program went on hiatus in the 2020-2021 school year due to the pandemic).

This year, UPLIFT participants were assigned to teams representing either the prosecution or defense in the fictional assault/harassment case of State of Minnesota v. Bobby Dousa. To lend authenticity to the experience, students presented their cases before sitting Minnesota judges, including Sydnee Woods of Hennepin County District Court and Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge JaPaul Harris.

"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 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.