The Connecticut High School and Middle School Mock Trial Competitions (formerly organized by Civics First), are an exciting opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the American legal system by participating actively in the legal process. Mock trials help students gain an appreciation for the rule of law, legal issues and courtroom procedure.

Beyond the ability to develop their knowledge of the legal system and their oral advocacy skills, including proficiency in asking questions, listening, reasoning and thinking on their feet, participation in mock trial will teach the students professionalism. Students learn ethics, civility and how to be ardent but courteous advocates for their clients. Good sportsmanship and respect for all participants are central to the CBA mock trial competitions.

A team is required to have at least six students of high school or middle school age, with ten to fourteen being advisable. Most teams are organized through schools, but we will welcome other community teams as well. All teams must have an adult advisor, such as a teacher or a parent. A legal advisor is highly recommended.

For more information about the CBA's Mock Trial program, contact Kiarra Lavache at klavache@ctbar.org.

High School Mock Trial

The High School Mock Trial Competition begins with regional trials held in courthouses around the state in late fall and early winter. All teams that win both sides of the case in their regional trials advance to a statewide playoff tournament in the spring, which culminates in the state championship round before the Connecticut Supreme Court. The state champion then represents Connecticut in the National High School Mock Trial Championship, which is held in May of each year.

The participation fee for High School Mock Trial is $350 per team.

Congratulations to our 2026 Connecticut High School Mock Trial Finalists and Individual Awardees!

State Champion: Weston High School
State Runner-Up: William H. Hall High School
Best Attorney: Cavan Morvillo
Best Witness: Ananya Rajesh

Registration for the 2026-2027 High School Mock Trial Competition will open in the Fall.

2026-2027 Preliminary Trials:

Bridgeport (1061 Main St)
Friday, December 11, 2026
9:30 AM - 5 PM

Danbury (146 White St)
Thursday, December 10, 2026
9:30 AM - 5 PM

Hartford (95 Washington St)
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
9:30 AM - 5 PM

Middletown (1 Court St)
Monday, December 7, 2026
Monday, December 14, 2026
1:30 PM - 5 PM
Must attend both days.

New Britain (20 Franklin Sq)
TBD, 2026

New Haven (235 Church St)
Tuesday, December 8, 2026
9:30 AM - 5 PM

Stamford (123 Hoyt St)
TBD, 2026
9:30 AM - 5 PM

Waterbury (300 Grand St)
Friday, December 18, 2026
9:30 AM - 5 PM

2025-2026 Playoffs:

Bridgeport (1061 Main St)
Friday February 5, 2027
9:30 AM - 5 PM

New Britain (20 Franklin Sq)
TBD, 2027
9:30 AM - 5 PM

2025-2026 Semi-Finals:

Middletown (1 Court St)
Friday, March 5, 2027
9:30 AM - 5 PM

2025-2026 Championships:

Hartford (231 Capitol Ave)
TBD, 2027

Middle School Mock Trial

The Middle School Mock Trial Competition begins with regional trials held in several schools in March. All teams that win both sides of the case in their regional trials advance to a statewide playoff tournament in April. The competition culminates in the state championship round before the Connecticut Appellate Court.

The participation fee for Middle School Mock Trial is $250 per team.

Congratulations to our 2026 Connecticut Middle School Mock Trial Finalists and Individual Awardees!

State Champion: James H. Moran Middle School
State Runner-Up: Dag Hammarskjold Middle School
Best Attorney (P): Shyla McNulty
Best Attorney (D): Penny Angelastro
Best Witness (P): Elliot Lawson
Best Witness (D): Aiden Rodriguez

Registration for the 2025-2026 Middle School Mock Trial Competition is now closed. 

2025-2026 Preliminary Trials:

Wallingford (106 Pond Hill Rd)
TBD, 2027

West Hartford (128 Sedgwick Rd)
TBD, 2027

2025-2026 Playoffs:

New Britain (20 Franklin Sq)
TBD, 2027

Mock Trial Materials

High School Materials

2025-2026 High School Case - Updated
2025-2026 High School Case Q&A Memo

Middle School Materials

2025-2026 Middle School Case - Updated
2025-2026 Middle School Case Q&A Memo

General Materials

Volunteer Opportunities

There are ample opportunities for members of Connecticut's bar, bench, and law students to volunteer to coach or judge mock trial teams. The volunteers are the lifeblood of the program, and volunteering as a judge or coach is an immensely rewarding way to nurture the pipeline into the legal profession. 
An updated volunteer sign-up link will be available soon.

CT MCLE Credit

Effective January 1, 2025, Connecticut-licensed attorneys who coach or judge high school mock trials through the CBA may receive up to two hours of MCLE credit per annual credit cycle (effective January 1, 2025). For volunteer judges in the high school competition, the CBA will automatically provide a record of your earned CLE credits. CBA members can view those credits in the CBA CLE Tracker. Attorney coaches of a high school mock trial team can request that your credits be added to your CLE Tracker by submitting the form below.

Request CLE Credit for Coaches 

Financial Assistance

The CBA is committed to ensuring that cost will not be an obstacle to any school participating in the mock trial programs, and assistance with expenses and fees is available for qualifying schools. In particular, these programs are supported by the Gruendel Fund at the Connecticut Bar Institute. The Gruendel Fund was endowed in 2023 by Dr. Janice Gruendel and the Honorable F. Herbert Gruendel, and their family and friends, in recognition of Judge Gruendel's outstanding career as an educator and jurist for the state of Connecticut. If you would like to apply for financial assistance, contact klavache@ctbar.org.

If you would like to donate to the Gruendel Fund, use the link below.

Donate Here

Expense Reimbursement

The CBA can reimburse certain mock trial expenses for volunteers. In general, we can reimburse for parking expenses for volunteer judges and event expenses for the Mock Trial Subcommittee. 

Reimbursement Form

Leadership

The High School and Middle School Mock Trial Competitions are conducted under the supervision of the Mock Trial Subcommittee of the CBA's Civics Education Committee.

Attorney Jonathan Weiner, Chair
Attorney Jeanine Dumont, Co-Chair
Hon. Joyce Krutick-Craig (ret.)
Hon. Hope C. Seeley
Attorney Mark Youssef