Decatur High Wins 2010 Mock Trial Competition

200 Youth Vie For State Bar of Georgia-Young Lawyers Division Regional Title

More than 80 lawyers from across DeKalb County and greater Atlanta volunteered for the 2010 Regional High School Mock Trial Competition in February at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Decatur. The event, sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the State Bar of Georgia, brought together approximately 200 youth from 10 DeKalb high schools to compete for a regional title. The victor: Decatur High School.

Attorneys participating included lawyers from the DeKalb Solicitor’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Court, Law Department, and local private firms as well as judges from DeKalb Magistrate, Probate, Juvenile, State, and Superior courts.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to work with these tremendously talented young people, and have students from across the county coming together to compete,” said Nicole Marchand, chief assistant solicitor-general for DeKalb, who has served as organizer of the mock trial competition for the past five years. “Hopefully, this platform will not only inspire spirited debate among our young people but will also encourage those participating to pursue a career in law.

“I am extremely grateful to those members of the DeKalb Bar who took time out of their Saturday to commit to the betterment of these young people. I think it goes a long way with them, and leaves a lasting impression regarding the importance of giving back.”

Students from Brown College of Court Reporting were also on site recording the mock trial proceedings.

For more information, contact Nicole Marchand, 404-371-2280, ndmarchand@co.dekalb.ga.us.