<p>Hi, I've been considering law school the last year or so and I want to get some sort of courtroom/public speaking experience to see if it's for me or not. I always wanted to be part of mock trial in high school but never got the chance and I really really want to get a taste of it before it's too late. Can anyone give me details about tryouts, like what they are looking for, what I can do to prepare, and opportunities out there or advice on what to do if I don't make it? Thank you.</p>
<p>You do know that… most lawyers don’t enter the courtroom, right? I’ll just assume that’s the kind of law you’re interested in.</p>
<p>UCLA has a co-ed law fraternity. You should check them out: [KAPPA</a> ALPHA PI Pre-Law Fraternity, UCLA](<a href=“http://lakap.org/]KAPPA”>http://lakap.org/)</p>
<p>i think this person meant law and order? for that you should look at the film courses</p>
<p>Yeah, I know that lawyers don’t necessarily have to go to the courtroom, but I still think mock trial provides skills worth acquiring. Disregarding what kind of lawyer I’m going to become, I still want to get better at public speaking and thinking on my feet. And thanks edelynly, I’ll look into the law fraternity. :)</p>
<p>Law Fraternity is tight-knit community, I’d recommend it</p>
<p>Mock trial is a really good experience as well. It is very involved and consists of a lot of weekend stuff that’s out-of-town.
[UCLA</a> Mock Trial](<a href=“http://www.lamocktrial.com/]UCLA”>http://www.lamocktrial.com/)</p>
<p>@silly101: Did you participate in MT? How was it? What were the tryouts like?</p>
<p>Thanks silly101 for sharing the link. So does anyone here have insight on the tryout process? Would they give a chance to people who never had training in high school? I’m looking at the tryout requirements and I can memorize the speech/info and deliver it clearly and all…but I don’t know anything about hand movements or other things they might be looking for.</p>
<p>That’s why should should go to the workshops offered before the tryouts.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.lamocktrial.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=14]Applications[/url”>http://www.lamocktrial.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=14]Applications[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Whether or not you ultimately decide to go to law school, doing something like this – or joining a local toastmasters (see, e.g. westsidetoastmasters.com) helps with general public speaking – a necessary tool not only in the practice of law, but most fields where you may be required to give speeches, do PR, and generally think on your feet.</p>
<p>Even seasoned attorneys with and without courtroom experience partake in these sessions.</p>
<p>It doesn’t necessarily lessen the fear inside a courtroom when you’re starting a trial or arguing a motion, but it’s good training to learn how to listen and respond.</p>