Volunteer lawyers are needed to help coach teams for the annual ISBA High School Mock Trial program conducted by the Committee on Law-Related Education for the Public March 3 and 4 in Springfield.

ISBA members who are interested in participating or obtaining additional information about the program may contact Donna Schechter at dschecht@isba.org or(800) 252-8908.

Open to all Illinois public and private high school students, the mock trials are a success, both as a type of competition and an important educational experience.

Many teams seek coaches from the legal community who are willing to meet with students and teachers after school or on weekends. Time commitments vary and depend on the volunteer's willingness and interest.

Lawyer-coaches are encouraged to come to Springfield with their teams to witness first-hand the skills the students exhibit when the trials are conducted next March.