Firm Offers Students Insight Into the Legal Profession

Nearly a dozen high school students from across Kanawha County will participate in the Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Legal Explorer’s Club Mock Trial, a simulated real-life trial before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Tod J. Kaufman at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 17 at the Kanawha County Courthouse Judicial Annex.

Sponsored by Steptoe & Johnson and facilitated by the Boy Scouts of America, the educational and social program provides insight to local high school students with an interest in pursuing future careers in the field of law. The Legal Explorer’s Club offers our local high school students an opportunity to learn about entrance into law school and the legal profession, as well as take part in practical activities such as the annual mock trial.

With the assistance of Steptoe & Johnson attorneys, the students spent the last few months learning about trial components and a grand theft case study. Divided into two teams, the students represent the prosecution and defense.  

The witnesses for the mock trial are comprised of volunteers, Steptoe & Johnson attorneys and paralegals.  The students’ family and friends will form the mock jury who will deliberate and deliver a verdict.

The case study highlights not only issues of criminal law, but the credibility of witnesses and evidence.

Steptoe & Johnson Attorney Natalie C. Schaefer, coordinator of the Legal Explorer’s Club Mock Trial, believes the preparation for the mock trial illustrates how dedicated the students are to the field of law. 

“We hope our efforts in working with the students in this joint initiative will help prepare them for promising careers in the field of law,” she said. “Their hard work is reflected in the final mock trial.”

During the course of the Legal Explorer’s Club program, the students met with West Virginia College of Law Assistant Dean Janet Armistead to learn about the requirements for enrolling in the WVU College of Law.