Earlier this year, the Birmingham Bar Association launched a new initiative, The Students Today-Lawyers Tomorrow Project, that culminated in a mock trial competition held Thursday, October 19. The goal of the project is to support and encourage area high school students of color to take an interest in the legal field and ultimately, to pursue a legal career.
Area law firms and attorneys acted as mentors and coaches, reviewing case material with students, teaching them trial procedures, and guiding them through the trial process. Local judges volunteered their time to judge the mock trials in their courtrooms. Students assumed the roles of the plaintiff, defense, and witnesses. Trial teams were judged on their opening statements, direct examination, cross-examination, and closing arguments.
The competition included 41 student participants from area high schools including Jackson-Olin, Carver, Woodlawn, Ramsay, and Parker. Christian & Small attorneys Sharon D. Stuart, Priscilla K. Williams, and Maggie H. Clanton coached the trial team from Jackson-Olin High School. At the conclusion of the day’s trials, two JO students were named Outstanding Attorneys, and two JO students were recognized as Outstanding Witnesses.
When asked about coaching students, Stuart shared, “It was fun to see the spark ignite in students as they practiced and learned their roles. For some students, this was a completely new experience, and they met the challenge with much enthusiasm. I am excited to see this program evolve and to see motivated young people continue to advance their skills and interest in the law.” Williams added, “It was so rewarding to see the student’s excitement and enthusiasm to participate in the mock trial. I hope this program will continue so that more students can be exposed to the legal profession and judicial system in a fun and engaging experience. Clanton agreed saying, “loved seeing the students come out of their shell and have fun participating in the mock trial. This was a great opportunity to introduce students to the legal system and teach them more about being a lawyer. I am so proud of every single student who participated and blown away by how well they all did.”
At the conclusion of the competition, the Birmingham Bar Association President Marcus Maples shared, “I saw students thinking on their feet, arguing objections, and responding to the Judge’s questions. I listened to them arguing the facts of the case and laughing with each other during breaks. These moments make a difference and can change the trajectory of their lives.” The Birmingham Bar Association aims to endow scholarships for college mock trial programs in Alabama.
Christian & Small is proud to have been a part of this program and we are grateful to Sharon, Priscilla, and Maggie for their dedication and hard work that resulted in a successful launch of the Students Today – Lawyers Tomorrow program.
Partner and Founding Member Sharon D. Stuart devotes her practice to civil trial work and arbitration, specifically on complex commercial and insurance litigation. Sharon is routinely recognized by Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. Sharon serves in a variety of leadership positions including Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, Fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation, the Alabama State Bar, the Alabama Supreme Court, Attorneys Insurance Mutual of the South, Bench and Bar Advisory Committee, Samford University Board of Trustees, and is president-elect for the Birmingham Bar Association.
Partner Priscilla K. Williams focuses her civil defense litigation practice on transportation insurance, premises liability, and construction defect matters. She is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Mississippi Bar, the Birmingham Bar Association, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, serves on the YWCA Junior Board, and is a member of the Junior League of Birmingham. Priscilla is recognized by Best Lawyers in America® as Ones to Watch in Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Transportation Law.
Associate Maggie H. Clanton is an associate in the firm’s Birmingham office. She represents her clients in various legal matters including retail and premises liability, transportation, and insurance cases. She is a member of the Alabama Defense Lawyer’s Association Young Lawyers Liason for Women’s Section and serves on the Birmingham Bar Association Executive Board of Young Lawyers Section, Women’s Section. Maggie is recognized as a Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, and Transportation Law.
About Christian & Small
Christian & Small LLP represents a diverse clientele throughout Alabama, the Southeast, and the nation with clients ranging from individuals and closely held businesses to Fortune 500 corporations. By matching highly experienced lawyers with specific client needs, Christian & Small develops innovative, effective, and efficient solutions for clients. With offices in Birmingham, metro-Jackson, Mississippi, and the Alabama Gulf Coast, Christian & Small focuses on the areas of litigation and business, is a member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, and is a Mansfield Rule™ Participating Law Firm. Our corporate social responsibility program is focused on education, and diversity is one of Christian & Small’s core values.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.