December 2022 marked the return of the Fox Tech Law Professions Yearly Mock Trial. Due to COVID-19, the annual mock trial, sponsored by the Federal Courts Committee of the San Antonio Bar Association, was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. This year, however, in what has become a yearly tradition for approximately 25 years, the Juniors competed against the Seniors at the brand-new United States Federal Courthouse, which made the event very special for all the students and parents attending. It is important to note that this mock trial was established by members Ted Lee and Judge Edward Prado of the FCC.
Presiding over the trial was the Honorable U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam, who took time out of his busy schedule to volunteer and provide the students with real-world trial tips and techniques.
The trial included a team of prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys, a court sketch artist, and a jury made up of former students and guests.
We were happy to speak and work with the dedicated educators that teach the students all year round. Most notably, Ms. Jennifer Casanova, who heads up the mock trial program at Fox Tech, was very excited to bring her well-prepared students to compete in this wonderful mock trial tradition.
Mr. Joe Hinojosa, with our firm, was also present to provide some input to the students and was very impressed with the performance by all the students competing.
Thank you to all who made this event so memorable for all participants, including Clerk of Court Phillip J. Devlin, Judge Pulliam’s court staff, and the Court Security Officers. We would like to especially thank Ms. Kim Nguyen, Divisional Manager of the Federal Courthouse and Nidia Hinojosa (with our Firm), for all their help with the reception after the trial.
We look forward to seeing the class of 2023 at next year’s Federal Courts Committee essay competition, which has been providing scholarships to students at Fox Tech High School for the last twenty years!
