Bemidji State’s Pre-Law Society Begins Preparation for Mock Trial

With High Hopes to Compete Nationally

By Casey Dainsberg (STORY #2)



Thursday night, approximately ten students gathered in HS 113 to learn more about a new group forming on campus, the Pre-Law Society and Mock Trial. Mock Trial is an event poplar in many high schools, colleges, and law schools. It is a means for students to familiarize themselves with the ways of the courtroom before actually getting there.

Faculty advisor and BSU Prof. of Political Science, Patrick Donnay, has been instrumental in getting Mock Trial going on the Bemidji State campus. However, it was students who first approached him about starting a Pre-Law Society and Mock Trial on the BSU campus last fall. Dr. Donnay said the “The idea really came from Alyssa Gunstrom (political science and international studies major) and Sarah Van Marel (social studies major) who started the Pre Law Society last fall. They brought the idea to me.”

When asked why they choose to start Mock Trial here on campus, Dr. Donnay said “It grew out of the desire to have a forum for those interested in law, or the other aspects of mock trial, to have a forum where they could test their abilities, learn new skills, and put them to the test in inter-collegiate competitions.” Donnay also expressed his vision for the Pre-Law Society and Mock Trial groups saying “The goal is to build the Pre Law Society and Mock Trial into strong, fully functioning organizations. For Mock Trial that means learning the craft so we can be competitive on a regional and ultimately national scale while building a sustainable means for financing the organization.”

Although Mock Trial made its first appearance on the Bemidji State campus last year,  this year will be the first time Bemidji State will compete against other universities in Mock Trial tournaments and invitationals. Eventually, the Mock Trial team will compete in the regional tournament next spring, when they will have the opportunity to advance to one of three flights; gold, silver, or bronze where they will be competing at a National Level.

BSU students Melissa Dahl and Alana McElhinney are active members in the Pre-Law Society, and are helping to organize and run Mock Trial. Dahl, president of the Pre-Law Society and Mock Trial says she does it to prepare her for law school. Assistant County Attorney Katie Nolting, will be coaching the BSU mock trial team this year. Describing herself as a “Mock Trial dork,” Nolting has been participating in Mock Trials since she was in high school and she continued to participate in Mock Trial through college and law school. Nolting brings experience and passion to the team. As a practicing attorney her courtroom experience is an asset.

As she spoke to students at the Mock Trial meeting on Thursday night, Nolting described the competitive aspects of Mock Trial. It’s “all about how much you want to put into it,” she said. Mock Trial requires commitment and hard work from its participants; but, as Nolting recounted, it is well worth it when you start winning awards and competitions.

Nolting also listed benefits for students as a result of participating. Mock Trial prompts students to think on their feet; it develops public speaking skills; and students learn to be articulate. For students interested in law school, it allows them an opportunity to learn vocabulary and concepts that are crucial in any study or practice of law.

The American Mock Trial Association was founded in 1985 by former Dean of Drake University Law School, Richard M. Calkins. According to his law firm’s website, Calkins currently practices law in Des Moines, Iowa where he specializes in Mediation Services.

The American Mock Trial Association’s website explains what they are all about saying the “AMTA [American Mock Trial Association] serves as the governing body for intercollegiate mock trial competition.”  Colleges from across the nation participate and compete against one another under the AMTA umbrella.

Mock trial is a stimulated courtroom environment where students are given the facts of a case which they will then proceed to act out. The cases are unscripted, leaving students to create their own arguments and questions from the information provided them in the case. When competing, teams present their case before two judges. They are then given points which fall between one and ten based upon their performance. If Mock Trial is something you would be interested in, Mock Trial and the Pre-Law Society meet at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights in HS 113.

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Student Melissa Dahl and Mock Trial Coach Katie Nolting (L to R) talk to
students about Mock Trial while Faculty Advisor Patrick Donnay (Far Right) looks on



Bemidji State Students Nick Nelson and Colin McGregor  (L to R) listen as Katie Nolting
talks about this years case. Both will be Competing on the Mock Trial Team this year