Honors Board of Advocates
PURPOSE AND GOALS
The Honors Board of Advocates is a student organization dedicated to preparing students for legal careers in litigation and trial advocacy through participation in mock trial competitions, workshops, trainings, and presentations. The Board stands on four key pillars: outstanding oral advocacy, teamwork, commitment to justice, and high academic achievement. Members demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of justice by preparing to enter the legal profession with exceptional oral advocacy skills, high academic achievement, a spirit of teamwork, and a commitment to professionalism.
MEMBERSHIP: INTRA-SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION
Members of the Honors Board of Advocates are chosen through a competitive Membership Application Process (the “MAP”) that takes place each spring semester. The Membership Application Process includes an Oral Advocacy Competition, an interview, application, and letter of recommendation. Applicants accumulate points for each portion of the MAP, and membership is offered to applicants that accumulate the most points. All members must maintain a 2.8 GPA to continue membership on the Board.
ADVOCACY BOARD SEMINAR
Members of the Honors Board of Advocates are required to enroll in a weekly one-hour seminar where they earn one hour of academic credit. In the seminar, Board members practice trial skills and are required to try at least one case during each semester of membership. Additionally, guest speakers are invited to share invaluable information regarding various trial skills such as: jury selection, opening statements/closing arguments, case theory and theme, and others.
ADVOCACY BOOTCAMP
Each semester HBA hosts a three-day boot camp for new members of the Board that covers a number of trial advocacy skills
MOCKTRIAL COMPETITIONS
In addition to participation in the Intra-School Mock Trial Competition, Board members also participate in state and national mock trial competitions. Members of state and national trial teams are selected from members of the Board based on a number of criteria including whether they have expressed an interest in competing in the particular competition, input from the Board faculty advisor or any current or past coaches, the member’s participation in Board workshops, social events, training programs, and fundraisers, as well as past and future opportunities to compete. Teams are coached by the faculty advisor, Shenequa Grey, as well as other volunteer litigators.
CONTACT US
To contact the Honors Board of Advocates, email hba@sulc.edu.