Record Number of Students in UPLIFT Legal Institute for Teens Hold Mock Trials at University of Minnesota Law School and St. Thomas School of Law

Students from St. Louis Park Middle School, Columbia Academy, Roseville Area Middle School, and Columbia Heights High School presented criminal mock trials last week before Minnesota judges as part of their participation in UPLIFT Legal Institute for Teens. Taking place at the University of Minnesota Law School and University of St. Thomas School of Law, the mock trial 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.

The 2025 cohort is the largest in UPLIFT’s history, with a total participation of 84 students and the first year the program has expanded to the high school level. To date, 321 school students have completed the program, which is free of charge.

Launched by Maslon in 2017, UPLIFT is a legal diversity pipeline nonprofit serving middle and high 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, teaching them about criminal trials, rights, and the legal profession. 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.

This year’s participants were assigned to teams representing either the prosecution or defense in the fictional texting and driving manslaughter case of State of Mock Trial v. Dannie DeLuca. To lend authenticity to the experience, students presented their cases before sitting Minnesota judges, including Judge Luis Bartolomei and Judge Jane Maschka of Hennepin County District Court, and Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge JaPaul Harris. Volunteer coaches included Maslon attorneys Nate Ajouri, Clayton Carlson, Jessica Karp, Evan Nelson, and Terry Newby, as well as firm alumni Justin Perl, Cooper Ashley, Catherine Ahlin-Halverson, Thaameran Sarveswaran, and Anna Petosky.

"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 or 1:3 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.