Page 21 - 2025 May June Magazine

Courtroom drama plays out in a round
of competition at the YMCA Mock Trial
State Finals
Student Attorneys introducing themselves to Justice Mungia at
the start of the final round of competition
Pierce County Superior Court
Commissioner McInvaille presides
over a round of competition
Through participating in YMCA Mock Trials, students gain both
respect for our justice system and insight into their own abilities.
Maybe (hopefully) some will participate in the future of our
beloved profession. But, more importantly, every participating
student will grow as a critical thinker.
Judge Downing wrote an article in 2004 about the benefits of
Mock Trials and the program’s ability to encourage questioning
rather than providing answers. Although Judge Downing's
words are more than 20 years old, they still hold true today,
“mock trial participants will go on to become better citizens, the
type who will refuse to simply mimic the opinions of others on
important social and political issues. This is because they have
developed the tools they need to craft opinions that are truly
their own, opinions developed through a careful examination
of all relevant facts, through the asking of tough questions and
insistence upon answers.” Mock Trial alumni know that even
basic assumptions deserve to be questioned.
The reason Mock Trial is my “why” may just be that these kids
give me faith in the future. Volunteer and you will see what
I mean. By volunteering, you will be helping to inspire and
guide these students while fostering their love of the law and
democracy. You, as a Mock Trial volunteer, will provide them
with experiences and knowledge they will remember for the rest
of their lives.
Mock Trial is about participating, not winning. However, we do
declare a winner who will go on to the National Competition
and this year Seattle Preparatory took that honor. But, behind
the scenes, there was another competition. The Pierce County
Prosecutor’s Office, Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC)
and Tacomaprobono competed to see who could provide the
most volunteers for both Regional & State. The prosecutors won!
Pizza and a perpetual trophy to follow.
Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Judge Horibe presides
over a round of competition
I hope you will agree with me, that we need more Mock Trial
teams in our local high schools. Pierce County currently has
only two Mock Trial teams: SOTA and Annie Wright. Mock
Trial programs, in 2024-2025, were in 80 Washington schools
with 1032 students participating.
My plan is to keep bringing these valuable yearly events to our
CCB and my hope is that you will continue to show up. Please
consider the benefits of contacting your child’s middle or high
school to ask about starting a YMCA Mock Trial team. To learn
more about Washington YMCA Mock Trial visit youthandgov.
org or email me at Lizanne.Padula@piercecountywa.gov.
*All five years: Jesse Williams and at various other times,
Jennifer Freeman, Naomi Smith, Zach Dillon, Neil Horibe,
Leslie Birnbaum and Jason Johnson.
Judge Padula sits on the bench of the Pierce
County District Court. Affiliated with the
YMCA Mock Trial Program since 2019, she
now serves as the Chair of the Mock Trial
Program Committee.
Clark County Superior Court Judge
Lewis announces the winners
Championship Round Raters deliberate
over who will be the State Champions
The final round of competition at the YMCA Mock Trial State Finals begins
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