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August 17, 2007

Mock Trial closes 2007 Summer Leadership Intern Program

Not guilty. That was the jury’s verdict after hearing all the testimony in State v. Garland, a fictional case that found Kate Garland, co-owner of Kate & Martin’s Diner, on trial for the murder of her husband, Martin Garland. With the not guilty verdict, Kate Garland walked out of the courtroom a free woman and Kailyn Crotson, the student portraying Ms. Garland, wrapped up her 5 month experience in the Summer Leadership Intern Program (SLIP).

Established in 1994, SLIP is a partnership between the Columbus Public Schools and the Columbus Bar. The program offers students a chance to work as paid interns in law firms and government agencies so that they can obtain a first-hand view of the legal profession. The program is organized by Barbara Wainer and Joetta Gregory, SLIP Coordinators from Columbus Pubic Schools, with assistance from The Honorable James E. Green and Vicki Jenkins, Esq., who is general counsel of the State Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and Jennifer Adair, Esq., former SLIP student and current attorney with Ohio Attorney General, Health & Human Services.

Coupled with the work experience is an intense educational program that includes studying the legal system; visiting the United States District Court, The Supreme Court of Ohio, and the Ohio Court of Claims; meeting with judges and attorneys; and participating in a mock trial; and testifying at the mock legislative hearing. Student attendance is also required at several pre-program workshops designed to prepare the teens for employment in a professional environment. Dress code, ethics, communication, and creative problem-solving are among the topics covered during these sessions.

Students participating in the 2007 program and mock trial included Adrianna Braden, Kailyn Croston, Cierra Howard, Fannisha Turner, Carolina Peguero, Camille Pleasant, and Desiree Woodfork.

Much of the program’s success is due to the commitment of the members of the Columbus legal community and the employers. Employers for 2007 included Baker and Hostetler LLP, Bricker & Eckler, LLP, Chester Willcox & Saxbe, Frost Brown Todd LLC, Office of the Ohio Attorney General, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease LLP, Ward Kaps Bainbridge Maurer & Melvin, and Wiles Boyle Burkholder & Bringardner Co., LPA.

For more information about the SLIP program, please contact Donna Sweet at donna@cbalaw.org.