Our Interview With Megan Benner, President of the Oklahoma Undergraduate Mock Trial Team

By the Juris Education Interview Team

Megan Benner is the President of the University of Oklahoma Undergraduate Mock Trial Team.

1. What is the typical format(s) of a mock trial or moot court competition? 

Undergraduate Mock Trials, sanctioned by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA), are structured team-versus-team competitions designed to simulate real courtroom trials based on a fictional legal case. Each team consists of three attorneys and three witnesses, representing either the prosecution/plaintiff or the defense. Trials begin with team introductions and any necessary pretrial matters. This is followed by opening statements from both sides. The heart of the trial—the case-in-chief—features each team presenting and defending their case through direct and cross-examinations (questioning) of their three witnesses. After both sides have presented all of their witnesses and “evidence”, the trial concludes with closing arguments. Judges then score each participant individually on a scale of 1-10, and the winner of the round is determined by the sum of the scores of each team’s members. 

2. What are some of the biggest takeaways or real-world benefits that students gain from participating in a mock trial or moot court competition? 

These competitions provide hands-on legal experience for aspiring attorneys, offering a unique opportunity to practice trial procedure and advocacy in real courtrooms across the country. It also builds public speaking, critical thinking, and strategic collaboration skills, and offers a tight-knit community of like-minded individuals through practices, frequent travel, and, for our program, weekly social events like karaoke nights! This activity has given me my closest college friends, who will be part of my life well beyond graduation.

3. What’s the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of participating in such a competition? 

The most challenging aspect of mock trials is getting over the fear of making a mistake. A lot of preparation and memorization goes into a trial, but many moments throughout a round require thinking on your feet, such as during an objection argument or when responding to the opposing team’s unique (and sometimes wacky) case theory. While perfection is always the goal, the real challenge is finding the confidence to set aside the script and perform off the cuff.

The most rewarding aspect of these competitions, however, is participating in a round with your team where everyone is performing at their highest level. Some rounds go more rocky, while others push your team to rise to the occasion. There is no better feeling than being in a trial where you and all of your teammates are winning objection battles, making strong arguments, and stealing the hearts of the judges. Winning is fun for everyone, but it’s even more special to share it with your closest friends. 

4. How do mock trials help students feel prepared for a career in law? 

There is no other undergraduate student activity that enables aspiring lawyers to step into a courtroom and argue like a real litigator. Because undergraduate mock trial is so strongly based on real trial procedures and the federal rules of evidence, a student who participates in mock trials before law school will be miles ahead of their peers when it comes to studying foundational J.D. material, including evidence, trial advocacy, and civil and criminal procedures. Furthermore, this activity fosters invaluable confidence and charisma—strengths that will aid every lawyer at all stages of their career. 

5. How can students make the most of a mock trial competition or program? 

Participate in as many roles as you can! There are five roles composing a mock trial team, ranging from character witness to closing argument attorney. Each position requires a different set of skills, and all five will challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and develop a new facet of critical thinking. 

6. What advice would you give to those who are trying to find the right mock trial competition for them? 

Reach out to current team members and leadership! Most mock trial and moot court programs have public social media pages and/or websites, which are great platforms to connect with those who have firsthand experience with the activity. Asking questions about time commitment, frequency of travel, and social events will give you a good idea of whether the program is a good fit for you.

Juris Education is proud to interview experts like Megan Benner to help future lawyers understand the benefits of extracurricular involvement in college. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into law school today.