Santa Barbara Lawyer - Santa Barbara County Bar Association

Attorney volunteers
needed for 2010
santa Barbara
County Mock Trial
Competition
By Jo s e f i n a ma r T i n e z a n d sa J i gu n aWa r d a n e
The 2010 Santa Barbara County High School Mock
Trial Competition will be conducted at the Santa
Barbara County Courthouse on Saturday, February 6
and on Saturday, February 27, 2010. Assistant Presiding
Judge Brian Hill will preside over this year’s program by
recruiting judicial officers, attorney scorers and arranging
courtroom assignments. Judge George C. Eskin will lead
the training of volunteer attorney scorers.
Volunteer Attorney Scorers and Judges Are Key
Volunteer attorney scorers and bench officers are essential
to the success of the Santa Barbara County Mock Trial
Competition, and in past years have been key to assuring
that the student teams obtain the best, most rigorous and
realistic courtroom experience possible.
“Participating as a volunteer coach or scorer provides a
great opportunity for pro bono service to the community by
contributing to the education of high school students,” said
Judge Hill. Josefina Martinez, Legal Secretary to Judge Hill,
continues in her dedicated role as this year’s Mock Trial
Coordinator to facilitate in the recruitment and scheduling
of attorney scorers. “To ensure that the competition is of
the highest quality and the team that ultimately prevails
does so in the fairest possible scoring system, I am hopeful
that members of the bar will volunteer their services,” said
Judge Hill. “Serving as a volunteer attorney is a rewarding
experience and it is a relatively simple commitment.
Attorneys need only call my secretary, Josefina, at (805)
882-4580, or simply e-mail.” (See schedule and volunteer
information below.)
Santa Barbara County Schools Successfully
Compete Statewide and Nationally
This is the 27th year for the local high school competition
and trial advocacy program. Added Judge Hill: “The
February 2010 29
Legal Briefs
members of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association have
been unstinting in the time, zeal and effort they dedicate on
behalf of Santa Barbara County’s students in this program.
And it has made all the difference: Santa Barbara County
schools have been among the top performers in both the
state and national competitions in recent years.”
Judge Hill acknowledged the key role of local attorneys
in this success. “I hope that local attorneys will volunteer
some time in this worthy effort,” said Hill. “On behalf of
Assistant Superintendent Susan Salcido and the Santa Barbara
County Superior Court, I extend my thanks to each of
you who volunteer to participate. With your participation,
we know that this year will be another remarkable year for
our talented students.”
The 2010 Santa Barbara County Mock Trial Competition
schedule is as follows:
Preliminary Rounds
Saturday, February 6, Morning (9 a.m. – 12 noon)
Saturday, February 6, Afternoon (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)
semifinals
Saturday, February 27, Morning (9 a.m. – 12 noon)
Finals
Saturday, February 27, Afternoon (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)
Volunteering is Simple, Here’s How:
Members of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association,
Santa Barbara Barristers, Santa Barbara Women Lawyers
and other local attorneys are urged to volunteer as attorney
scorers. Simply contact Ms. Martinez at jmartinez@
sbcourts.org or call her at (805) 882-4580 and provide the
following:
Attorney’s name, email address and telephone number;
and Attorney’s availability to volunteer on: Saturday, February
6 Morning Shift (9 a.m. – 12 noon); and/or Saturday,
February 6, Afternoon Shift (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.); and/or Saturday,
February 27, Morning Shift (9 a.m. – 12 noon) and/or
Saturday, February 27, Afternoon Shift (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.).
State which day and shift you are available to serve as an
attorney scorer. If you are available for more than one day
and/or shift, please state so — your service will be greatly
appreciated.
The Santa Barbara County Superior Court, local mock
trial coaches and others affiliated with this remarkable
program thank all participating attorneys in advance for
their service to the students in our community.