Uniondale, NY Joshua Brookstein and Erika Conti, partners, Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano, in conjunction with the Nassau County Bar Association’s School Engagement Subcommittee, partnered with schools in the Roslyn and Baldwin school districts, as well as the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, and the North Shore Hebrew Academy to turn curious cubs into courtroom crusaders through the second annual elementary school mock trial program.

Teachers and volunteer lawyers worked with fourth and fifth grade students to learn and implement basic trial skills and to develop a passion for advocacy. The program culminated on June 12, when students tried their cases before real Justices of the Nassau County Supreme Court and Nassau County Legislator Samantha A. Goetz.

This year’s case was Lenny Loudmouth v. Yellowstone School District, which deals with assumption of risk when an accident occurs during a donkey basketball game. Students played the roles of attorneys and witnesses.

“It is never too early to build civic literacy, develop critical thinking skills, learn how to craft persuasive arguments, and hone your public speaking skills,” said Brookstein, founder and chair of the Nassau County Bar Association’s School Engagement Subcommittee.