Resources for WSU students interested in pursuing legal education are expanding.
On April 10, the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service and the College of Liberal Arts hosted the inaugural Cougar Pre-law Day.
Justice Stephens addresses WSU's pre-law students.
Washington Supreme Court justice and former appellate attorney Debra L. Stephens delivered the keynote address to open the event.
Students, from disciplines across the college and campus sat in a packed room to listen to Stephens speak about law as an avenue to public service, to hear WSU alumni talk about their careers in law as public defenders, prosecutors, and legal specialists, and to ask questions about law school and practice.
Participating alumni included:
Representatives from law schools, including the University of Idaho, University of Washington, and Gonzaga University, were present as well to answer students' questions.
The next Cougar Pre-Law Day is planned for fall 2009.
Students with legal leanings have also been able to develop their courtroom skills as members of the Mock Trial Club.
Mitch Pickerill (associate professor, political science) started the mock trial program at WSU in 2003 and has been leading the teams since with political science graduate student and assistant coach Denise Mowder.
This year the program completed its sixth season with what Pickerill said was "WSU's best showing ever at a tournament."
Three WSU teams competed at the American Mock Trial Association's (AMTA) regional tournament in Portland, Oregon, in February among a field of 22 teams from 12 universities including Stanford University, Arizona State University, University of California at Berkeley, and state rivals University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, and Gonzaga University.
John Polonis (senior, political science) earned an All-Regional Attorney Award, and Ross Steele (senior, psychology and biology) received an All-Regional Witness Award.
Two WSU teams advanced to the March National Championship Qualifier Tournament at the University of California, Irvine, where they presented Drew Walton v. Blitz News Network, a hypothetical case involving a gubernatorial candidate, a professor, a gun, and a live newscast.
"As a political science/pre-law major, mock trial has probably been the most rewarding experience of my undergraduate career," said Ian Stamme, a mock trial team co-captain who graduated with a B.A. in political science this May. "I've wanted to be a trial lawyer since I was 10. WSU has had a highly competitive mock trial program all three years that I have been a part of it."
Miriam Kasaika (right) makes her case. Seated at counsel table (from left) are Dan Taitingfong, Rhyan Anderson, and Ian Stamme. Jared Reams sits at back. Photo by Tim Marsh.
Students interested in pre-law may major in any field of interest that helps develop valuable skills in reading, researching, writing, and critical analysis.
The Foley Institute fosters civic education, public service, and public policy research in a nonpartisan, cross-disciplinary setting. It has a threefold mission at WSU that covers public affairs programming and education, public policy research and Congressional studies, and student involvement in public policy and public service.
The Chronicle, College of Liberal Arts, Washington State University