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| The students attending Law Camp gathered at the Connecticut Supreme Court for the culmination of the camp's mock trial competition. |
During the week of July 6, the Connecticut Bar Association welcomed high school students to its 2026 Law Camp, a week-long program designed to introduce participating students to the legal profession through interactive educational sessions, hands-on advocacy training, and a mock trial competition.
Held at the University of Connecticut School of Law, the Hartford Superior Court, and the Connecticut Supreme Court, LAW Camp gave the students an opportunity to explore the legal system while learning directly from attorneys and judges. The camp began at UConn School of Law with Dean and Professor of Law Eboni S. Nelson; CBA DEI Co-Chair Ronald J. Houde, Jr.; and CBA Immediate Past President Emily A. Gianquinto introduced themselves to the students and welcoming them. You are going to learn general skills that will help you in high school and beyond," Attorney Gianquinto said. "Enjoy the camp, ask a lot of questions, and get to know people."
Throughout the week, students participated in sessions covering a wide range of topics covering the Connecticut court system, lawsuits, courtroom advocacy and etiquette, legal extracurricular opportunities, bar associations, legal careers, and strategies for preparing for law school. Students also received instruction on the fundamentals of trial advocacy, including opening statements, closing arguments, direct and cross examinations, objections, impeachment, and the effective use of exhibits.
A central component of the camp was a mock trial competition. Students were divided into teams and worked closely with coaches throughout the week to develop case strategy, prepare witness examinations, and refine their courtroom presentations. Daily team preparation sessions allowed students to build confidence and apply the advocacy skills they learned during instructional workshops.
On Thursday, students visited the Hartford Superior Court, where they toured the courthouse, observed live court proceedings, and participated in a session focused on courtroom advocacy and professional etiquette. Following their courthouse experience, each team visited different local law firms, including Morrison Mahoney, McCarter & English, Shipman & Goodwin, Day Pitney, Robinson + Cole, and Pullman & Comley, where the students enjoyed lunch and continued preparing for the mock trial competition with guidance from their coaches and practicing attorneys.
The week concluded with the mock trial competition, which began at the Hartford Superior Court. Following preliminary rounds, the top two teams advanced to the final round, which was held in the Connecticut Supreme Court chambers. The two teams presented their cases before Judge Nuala E. Droney, who after hearing the case announced a not guilty verdict and declared the team acting as the defense as the winners of the competition. Judge Droney provided remarks to all the students, praising them for their professionalism and impressive work throughout the week. The camp closed with a reception held at UConn School of Law, where CBA DEI Co-Chair Ronald J. Houde, Jr. and CBA President J. Paul Vance, Jr. provided closing remarks to the students. “You’re doing a really important thing, spending the time to embrace the law and to learn the law,” stated President Vance. “You’re not lawyers yet, and maybe some of you will choose to do other great things in your life. But doing this is really important.”
By combining classroom instruction with hands-on experiences inside Connecticut's courts and law firms, LAW Camp provided students with a meaningful introduction to the practice of law while helping them develop advocacy, public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.
View Photos from Law Camp