Advice for First-Timers (by Mollie Mei)

When I participated in IMT’s February tournament, it was one of my first ever mock trial experiences. After taking a mock trial interest course the summer before that, I garnered an instant interest in MT and I was determined to practice, learn, and eventually improve and advance. During the tournament, I got to go against extremely experienced teams, which not only challenged us but also taught us important tactics and strategies in MT that guided us through the rest of the tournament. Though our team did not necessarily do very well, I know confidently that we all improved as the rounds went on, and we are better prepared for any other tournaments in the future.

To anyone nervous about the tournament, I can assure you that it is a great place to further your mock trial skills, regardless of where you started. My advice is to focus on delivering to the best of your ability and engaging with your opponents instead of focusing on the win. Don’t try to beat the other team, try to prove your own case. Overall, mock trial is an extremely fun activity to engage with in general, especially if you have a passion for law, debate, or public speaking. I highly recommend IMT’s tournaments to gain valuable experience and practice.