Law students mentor junior high kids in bullying mock trial

– Photo courtesy of WMU-Cooley


Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Michael J. Riordan (back row), members of WMU-Cooley’s School’s Black Law Students Association, and junior high students of Washington-Parks Academy gathered after the mock trial on May 28. The junior high students were mentored by students from WMU-Cooley Law School’s Black Law Students Association, as they prepared for the mock trial.



On Thursday, May 28, junior high students from Cornerstone Charter Schools’ Washington-Parks Academy (WPA) participated in a mock trial surrounding the epidemic of bullying. Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) mentored the young students for seven months as they prepared for the mock trial. Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Michael J. Riordan presided over the mock trial.

The sixth, seventh, and eight graders from WPA in Redford played the various courtroom roles such as defendant, plaintiff, lawyers, and witnesses. Riordan noted the students were well-prepared for the trial and their hard work was evident.

“That was an outstanding job,” said Riordan. “Congratulations to all of you. You all have great futures as lawyers. The most important advice I can give you is to read a lot. You all can be great trial lawyers if you want to do that. Read, read, read to expand your minds.”

Eight months ago, Erin McNeil, partner program administrator for Cornerstone, invited members of WMU-Cooley Law School’s Black Law Students Association to mentor the junior high students and prepare them for the mock trial. The WPA students who participated in the court case belong to the school’s Judge Michael Riordan Law Club.

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