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The Feinberg & Waller, APC, Mock Trial Leadership Award
The Feinberg & Waller, APC, High School Leadership award/mentor program amplifies teen voice and action by highlighting one student each year who has made an impact on their team and community.
The mock trial program is an academic competition in which students acquire knowledge of the American judicial system. Students have the opportunity to experience the drama of the courtroom as they learn the importance of civic participation in a democratic society through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights. The firm wishes to support students involved in the program who are leaders in their communities for they will be our future attorneys, judges, activists, and public figures.
The Los Angeles Teach Democracy, formerly known as Constitutional Rights Foundation, mock trial program is a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation.
It is co-sponsored by:
- Daily Journal Corporation
- Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
- Los Angeles County Superior Court
Feinberg & Waller would like to award one recipient:
- Three (3) mentor sessions leading up to the LA County competition in November (either in person or through virtual communications).
- One (1) meeting with the recipient’s entire team before the LA County competition (either in person or through virtual communications).
- One (1) mentor session after the LA County competition for the recipient to ask any questions they may have, such as further advice on becoming a lawyer, what the field of law looks like, networking, establishing a resume, etc. (either in person or through virtual communications).
- If the team advances to the State competition, an additional meeting with the entire team will be offered if they so choose.
- $500 for expenses related to the competition (i.e., printed materials, courtroom attire, travel, food).
- An offer to the recipient for a college letter of recommendation.
- Leadership Award title for college applications and future resumes.
2024 Applicant Criteria:
This Award preferences students who have:
- A love of the law
- Leadership both on the mock trial team and in their community
- An Attorney/Pre-Trial role on their team
- A validated high school grade point average of a minimum 2.8
- An affiliation with a registered Los Angeles County Mock Trial team and enrollment at the team’s school
This Award will preference students who are:
- Rising juniors in high school; and
- BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and/or Disabled students*; or
- Active allies to the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and/or Disabled community
Application Requirements:
- 1 personal statement of 500-1000 words (PDF format)
Applicant must describe why they became involved in mock trial, how they have acted as a leader on the team, what that entailed, and what they want to do in the future. While students with a love of the law are preferred, it is not required for the answer to be “lawyer”. Applicant will also describe how they have displayed leadership in the community with a description of any volunteer work or service activities, any school groups, or extracurriculars. In addition, if applicant is applying as an active ally of any of the communities described above, applicant must detail the work he/she has done to become to be an active ally.
- Resume (PDF format)
- Mock Trial Coach or Advisor’s name and email must be listed as a reference
- 2 Recommendations (PDF format)
- From Mock Trial Coach or Advisor
- From an Educator or Mentor
Application deadline is October 7, 2024.
Please submit all application materials or questions to Courtney Stensvold through email:
Subject line for the submission should be:
(First and Last Name), (High School), “Leadership Award”
*Feinberg & Waller is constantly growing, self-educating, and learning when it comes to the nuances used to describe one’s race, ethnicity, or identity. For example, while we have chosen to use the term BIPOC, we understand this may not be your personal preference of language. When using that term, we use it to encompass the many varied and distinct Black, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latino/Latinx, and Asian identities. If you feel misrepresented or underrepresented, please reach out with any concerns so we can reflect on our speech in the future.
