More than 100 Tuscaloosa middle school students visited the Law School on Friday.
Students from Eastwood Middle School and Tuscaloosa Magnet School – Middle participated in the Middle School Open House, a program designed to introduce middle school students to law school.
Dean Mark E. Brandon welcomed the students. He urged them to prepare for law school now by learning how to write well and to think logically. It also wouldn’t hurt to learn how the government works and how laws are made.
“Long before they got here, our students were preparing for law school,” Brandon said. “Even before they were in college, our students were preparing for law school. Even in middle school, our students were preparing for law school. They didn’t know they were preparing for law school, but they were.”
Throughout the day, students were introduced to legal terms and procedures. They watched as law students participated in a mock trial. The Three Bears claimed Gold E. Locks had bad manners when she entered their home, ate their porridge, slept in their beds, and broke a chair. After The Three Bears and Gold E. Locks testified about the day in question, a jury of middle school students found Gold E. Locks guilty of bad manners.
The students prepared amicus curiae briefs, which helped law students argue a moot court case before a panel of judges. The question centered around whether YouTube or Instagram is the best social media platform. An attorney for YouTube argued the social media platform provides greater access and teaches others how to dance and learn math concepts, while an attorney for Instagram argued the platform provides a safe environment for its users. In a 2-1 vote, the panel ruled in favor of Instagram.
Later, middle school students rehearsed and performed their own mock trial, learned about legal careers, and toured the Law School. The event was sponsored by the Law School’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion and the Law School Admission Council.