One of the best pieces of advice I received when I started law school was to get involved. The classroom provides a strong foundation, but the real magic happens when you take what you’ve learned and apply it in real-world settings. KU Law offers countless ways to do this, from student organizations and legal clinics to journals, competitions and volunteer work.

For me, that opportunity has come through Mock Trial.

A few weekends ago, I traveled to Champaign, Illinois, for a mock trial tournament. Other KU teams traveled to places like Detroit and New York City. We competed against students from law schools across the country. It was an incredible experience to step into the role of a trial attorney and practice what we study every day in class: building a case theory, questioning witnesses, objecting to evidentiary issues, presenting arguments and thinking on your feet. 

One of the highlights of the experience was working with my co-counsel, Evelyn Manresa, for the competition. Preparing and trying a case together was a great team-building exercise. It taught me how to communicate effectively, collaborate under pressure and adapt when things didn’t go exactly as planned (which they rarely do in trial!). We also had the chance to engage with opposing counsel from other schools, which was a valuable lesson in professionalism and civility in advocacy. Lastly, none of this would have been possible without the help of our amazing coaches, Professor Adam Sokoloff and Professor Meredith Schnug. They helped us every step of the way to ensure we were prepared for trial day. 

Mock Trial isn’t the only way to get involved, of course. KU Law offers a wide range of activities, from Moot Court and Law Review to student organizations, community service projects and legal clinics where students can work directly with real clients. Each experience provides a different perspective on the law and helps you grow both personally and professionally.

No matter what you choose, getting involved is one of the best ways to make the most of your time in law school. It connects you with your peers, builds your confidence and helps you start thinking like a lawyer, long before you ever step into a courtroom.

– Izzy Watkins is a 3L KU Law Student Ambassador from Overland Park, Kansas