NJSBF.org - Foundation Cosponsors 4th Annual American Mock Trial Invitational in May

Foundation Cosponsors 4th Annual American Mock Trial Invitational in May

The New Jersey State Bar Foundation and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice invite qualifying high school students to compete against top mock trial finalists throughout the U.S. and abroad in the fourth American Mock Trial Invitational (AMTI) for high school students May 17 - 19, 2009, at the Middlesex County Courthouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The Foundation will send New Jersey's top three 2009 championship teams to AMTI to represent the Garden State. Those winners will be determined at the statewide finals of the Foundation's Vincent J. Apruzzese Mock Trial Competition on March 31 at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick.

AMTI was established in May of 2006 by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice in order to permit high school mock trial state champions with weekend religious obligations to compete in a national forum on weekdays. In addition, AMTI does not interfere with Friday or Saturday proms, AP exams or Mother's Day.

"Once again, it is the Bar Foundation's privilege to host this educational and exciting event in conjunction with the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Affording mock trial champions the opportunity to further test their skills in an atmosphere of collegial good will and mutual encouragement is a thrilling and highly satisfying experience," said Mary Ellen Tully, president of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation.

AMTI is the only nationwide mock trial competition that permits as many as three of a state's top six mock trial championship teams to participate. A team consists of 7 - 10 students.

Contestants will have the opportunity to try a challenging case, enjoy a private dinner at and educational tour of the inspiring Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York Harbor, and stay at a fine hotel in New Brunswick, a vibrant college town less than one hour from New York City.

The cost to register a team is $200. This includes complimentary:

continental breakfasts and buffet luncheons for teams, coaches and guests on May 18 and 19;
orientation dinner for teams and coaches on May 17 (guests may purchase tickets);
dinner and tour of Ellis Island for teams and coaches (guests may purchase tickets) on May 18;
bus transportation to social events;
souvenirs for team members and coaches; and
trial practice rooms for scrimmages on May 17.

For more information, contact Sheila Boro, director of mock trial programs for the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, at 732-937-7519 or e-mail sboro@njsbf.org.