As the summer begins to wind down, my focus shifted toward preparing for the upcoming mock trial competition.
The week began with a direct and cross-examination seminar led by Scott Sarason, one of the most practical and immediately applicable learning experiences of the summer. Direct examination is about building a clear and compelling narrative through your witness, while cross-examination requires precision, control and the ability to challenge testimony effectively. Breaking down both techniques in a structured setting gave me a stronger foundation as I continued preparing for trial.
Later in the week, I conducted a direct examination in front of attorneys from the Miami office and received live feedback on my performance. Their insights were invaluable, and being able to immediately apply that feedback strengthened both my advocacy skills and my confidence heading into the competition.
The week also included a happy hour with associates in the office, providing a chance to step away from trial preparation, connect with colleagues and reflect on the relationships we’ve built throughout the summer.
With the mock trial just around the corner, I’m looking forward to putting everything I’ve learned into practice. It promises to be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of the Summer Associate Program.
