JGHC Summer Scholar Institute: Mock Trial Intensive (Grades 10-12)

The JGHC Summer Honors Institute: Mock Trial Intensive is a mock trial training program hosted by USF's Judy Genshaft Honors College and led by a national award-winning Mock Trial coach. Collegiate mock trail competitors and current law students will support students as they learn the step by step process of court proceedings and will gain knowledge and experience of advocacy, critical thinking, creative thinking, argument construction, basic understanding of the law as it relates to the courtroom, courtroom decorum, logic, reason, rhetoric and public speaking.

This program is rigorous and will require work and practice outside of the classroom. The week-long experience will include a faculty expert panel, a legal career panel, and an admissions presentation about Law School admissions from Stetson Law School Dean of Admissions, Darren Kettles.

The week will culminate in an actual mock trial held in Stetson Law School courtrooms on Saturday morning where families can sit in the audience, followed by a closing reception and award ceremony. Students who have an interest in pre-law degree programs will benefit greatly from the experience and knowledge obtained in this summer program.

Camp Details

Gain instruction and experience in the following:

• Introduction into the American Court System
• Instruction and guidance in trial strategies such as advocacy, rhetorical devices, themes, storytelling and public speaking.
• Instruction, guidance and hands on application in mock trial events such as, opening statement, direct examination, cross examination, and closing argument
  Impeachment/refreshing recollections
• Lecture and application of Federal Rules of Evidence/Objections
• Witness/character development
• Proper handling of evidence/Foundations
• Courtroom protocol/decorum
• Stop and go drills/scrimmages
• Mini Trial Exhibition before closing ceremonies

About Maria Gerber, eSQ. :

Maria Gerber graduated from Stetson College of Law in 1994 and has been licensed to practice law in Florida for 29 years. Ms. Gerber was a prosecutor for the Sixth Judicial Circuit located in Pinellas/Pasco County before going into private practice. Ms. Gerber owns and operates Gerber Law, PA and represents accident injury victims throughout Central and Southwest Florida. Ms. Gerber is a Florida native, and graduate of the University of South Florida. She has taught search and seizure and use of force at the police academy, and criminal procedure and constitutional law to high school students. She owns and operates INVICTUS Advocacy Academy which trains high school students in forensics, including speech, debate, moot court and mock trial. She has coached state, regional and national champions in all genres. Ms. Gerber has coached collegian mock trial and moot court. Her primary areas of focus are rhetoric, logic and the art of persuasion which she teaches by utilizing her experience, education and training as a practicing attorney. Ms. Gerber has a sincere heart and particular passion for instructing the youth in mock trial. 

Read more about last year's JGHC Summer Scholar Institue: Mock Trial Intensive here.