Debates, trials, and public speaking are only a few of the challenges students face when preparing for a future in law. For the students interested in a legal career, there are only a few options that can be beneficial for them: mock trial and speech, and debate. Both clubs can help form important speaking skills and connections that last a lifetime. Mock trial, speech, and debate offer a future attorney critical thinking, analytical skills, and good public speaking experience.
Mock trial simulates courtroom experience, giving students hands-on practice as attorneys and witnesses. Students learn how to present arguments and respond under pressure confidently. Speech and debate focus more on argumentation and presenting their ideas persuasively, helping students refine their communication skills. Speaking skills, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork all apply in both mock trials and speech and debate, both good for becoming a lawyer
“Speech and Debate cultivates and develops certain types of debate skills, speaking skills that will be helpful with being a lawyer, but they don’t tie those skills to any area of the law,” said John Ogata, the attorney coach for the Rocklin High School (RHS) Mock Trial team. Mr. Ogata graduated from RHS in 2009 and attended UC Davis, where he started his own mock trial team. He then graduated from law school and is in his second year helping the team as a real attorney coach. “I think mock trial is beneficial because you are able to take speaking skills and connect them directly to a legal setting,” said Ogata.
“I think mock trial is beneficial because you are able to take speaking skills and connect them directly to a legal setting,”
–John Ogata
Ogata’s background in both activities gives him a clear view of how each program builds different skills for students interested in law. “[Speech and debate] prepares you for law school in the sense that if you understand a component of how trials work, you will have the ability to understand in a more in-depth way.” There are benefits to both mock trial and speech and debate, but it depends on which one is more beneficial for you based on what skills you already have.
Ethan Dufour, a third-year member of the mock trial team and executive board member, has also taken the speech and debate class. “In speech and debate, you get more of the argument aspects of being an attorney. But in mock trial, you get directs, crosses, and argument aspects as well,” Dufour said.
He explains that speech and debate improved his speaking skills, but mock trial provided him with a broader understanding of legal work. “As someone who took the class, it definitely helped my argumentative skills; however, I would still say mock trial helps more because you get a more general aspect of the career.” Working in a mock trial allows students to practice professionalism by preparing their witness statement, to cross-examine the opposing counsel; it can be a beneficial system for future attorneys.
Another past member of the speech and debate class, senior Tanner Martin, said, “Speech and debate in general will make you better.”
Both activities are unique in their own way, and they both have their own benefits as well, whether you want to become a lawyer or not. Feeling bolder and more yourself when speaking to even a class is a great starting point for a future lawyer. “Mock trial would give you a unique experience, but I think speech and debate give you a lot more to work with.” Speech and debate prepare students by having them think on their feet and using persuasive techniques to win their point. “Mock Trial gives you a unique courtroom experience, but speech and debate give you more to work with, including writing and presenting, which helps beyond just law,” said Martin. He says that by joining speech and debate, students can learn how to make a great speech while still keeping the audience entertained.
Both activities help students improve their confidence, communication, and critical thinking, but they do so in different ways. Mock trial provides hands-on courtroom experience and deeper insight into certain legal matters. For the county competition, the RHS Mock Trial team goes to the Santucci Justice Center to face other schools in hopes of winning the county and qualifying for state. Mock trial also has scrimmages against other schools as well, where both schools dress formally and present their arguments to their attorney coaches. They also have a judge sit in and watch to give valuable feedback. Conversely, students in speech and debate mainly focus on presenting their arguments in front of the classroom. The students need to know facts, have confidence in front of the class, and have certain persuasive strategies planned for their argument. The students who participate in either activity learn how to hone their speaking skills and communication with others through structured practices that translate directly to real-world situations.
