The American judicial system, laws and our courts can be confusing. To expand the Illinois State Bar Association's commitment to the public, and to help clarify the law, the Association encourages member lawyers and judges to speak in classrooms when invited to do so.

Classrooms aren't the only place you might be needed. There are many groups that might enjoy speaking with you in your capacity as a legal professional. Schools, church groups, senior citizens centers, political groups, civic organizations or fraternal organizations often are looking for speakers for programs to interest their members. If you have a favorite area of law, you may be the perfect speaker to entertain and educate at a discussion about senior citizens rights, consumer protection, arbitration, legal careers or other aspects of the practice of law.

You may be called upon to speak for a few minutes or present a more expansive program. You may be called upon to meet with a class that is arranging a courthouse visit to explain what they may see and help them understand. Lawyer volunteers should feel free to accept or decline as their time and skills permit.

• educate the public about legal issues they feel are important to them
• enhance the image of the profession
• clarify and/or demystify the legal system so that those who must utilize it have a level of comfort

Sufficient experience and willingness to share with others.

• Confer with the teacher prior to the visit to make sure that both of you know what is expected.
• Discuss classroom logistics. Ask about classroom rules and how students will be identified. For example, some teachers have seating charts; others may have nametags for the students.
• If you need audio-visual equipment or a computer projector, ask the teacher if the school has it available for your use.
• Discuss the lesson you plan to teach with the teacher to make sure it fits into the overall curriculum.
• Discuss information about the students with the teacher. Ask about class size, grade level, ability levels (reading, verbal, reasoning, etc.), special needs of students, likelihood of prior personal experience with the legal system and possible situations that you may need to be sensitive about for a particular group of students.
• Photocopy any handouts you may want to give to the students. Be sure to make sufficient copies.
• Review your lesson plan. Be as prepared to teach the lesson as you would be to present a case in court.

• Teach the lesson you have prepared. Students are masters of getting speakers off the subject!
• Translate "legalese" into plain English.
• Be as natural as possible.
• Watch the time! To complete the lesson you will need to follow the time estimate given in the lesson plan for each activity.
• Follow whatever plans you and the teacher determined would work for the students, yet look to the teacher for modification if necessary. Use the time students are reading or working in small groups to confer with the teacher.
• Be mobile. Circulate around the classroom rather than standing in the front of the room for the entire period.
• Encourage active student participation. Try to involve the entire class by calling on as many students as possible. Do not let one or two students monopolize the entire discussion.
• Be open to just about anything. The minds and interests of students may be a pleasant surprise. Enjoy your time with them.

• Give advice on individual legal problems
• Lecture to the students
• Read a prepared speech
• Tell a lot of "war stories"