The CBA hosted the 2022 LAW Camp virtually over the week of July 11-15. LAW Camp exposes high school students to the legal profession and gives them instruction on critical and analytical thinking to help them succeed in their educational and professional careers. During the camp, high school students were taught about different aspects of pursuing a legal career, observed a federal court jury trial, and participated in several mock lawyer exercises. Thirteen students attended the camp and 22 attorneys and law students volunteered as presenters, panelists, and coaches throughout the week.
The students were introduced to the LAW Camp with welcoming remarks from CBA President Daniel J. Horgan, who told the students, “This week is going to be so important for you to decide what kind of path you’re going to choose in college and beyond. The skills you’re going to learn this week, like public speaking and thinking on your feet, will help you in life. The things I learned in law school about being proud of yourself and carrying things all the way through has helped me to this day."
Throughout the camp, the students joined Zoom sessions led by CBA members. Past President Karen DeMeola and other volunteers presented on their personal journeys through college and law school and discussed how people of diverse backgrounds and educational experiences can pursue a path to success in the field of law. The students learned about basic legal concepts; the roles that lawyers, judges, and juries play in court proceedings; and the various careers paths that are open to attorneys. Halfway through the week, the students were able to virtually observe a criminal jury trial in federal court. During the trial break, Senior United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut Janet Bond Arterton, spoke with the students to explain the trial processes that took place.
Along with hearing presentations from CBA volunteers, the students also participated in activities by role playing as lawyers and conducting mock direct and cross examinations and participating in a closing argument competition. For the competition, which closed out the week, the students each prepared a closing argument with mentoring by volunteer attorneys. During the final round of the competition, CBA President-Elect Margaret I. Castinado chose a winner from the four finalists and provided closing remarks to the students, congratulating them on their participation in the camp and efforts in the competition.