Mock Trial - Seattle Academy
The Hub
Mock Trial
Our Mock Trial team is a vibrant group of students who compete in the
YMCA Mock Trial
competition each year. Mock Trial encourages SAAS students to participate in the judicial branch of our government while they acquire leadership, team building, and public speaking skills.
The SAAS Mock Trial course is designed to give students an introduction to the legal system and a foundation in trial skills. These skills include: writing opening statements and closing arguments, conducting direct and cross-examinations, introducing evidence in a trial, applying evidentiary rules, and performing as a witness. Through these skills, students will develop their ability to speak in public, formulate arguments, and work as a team.
Meet our mock trial faculty
League and Competitions
The Mock Trial program provides an opportunity for students to participate in a competitive courtroom showdown between teams from around the state. Through researching case law, working with team members, and arguing legal issues in front of real judges and lawyers, teens are provided with hands-on learning opportunities that will assist in the development of the confidence, knowledge, and skills needed to lead the next generation.
Awards & Accomplishments
2025
6th Place at State Tournament
Qualified for State Competition
2024
3rd Place at Regional Tournament
Qualified for State Competition
2023
3rd Place at Regional Tournament
Avery Berg won Best Witness Overall at Regionals
Qualified for State Competition
2022
Seattle Academy Red and Gray teams placed 6th and 7th in the King County Tournament
Outstanding Witness: Abi Batingan '22, Aiden Carroll '23, Annabelle Burg '22, Avery Berg '23, Cole Didier '23, Kate Eleveld '24, Maggie Johnson '23
Outstanding Attorney: Aya Nicholls '23, Elise Gundlach, '23, Justin Selby '22, Maggie Johnson '23
Best Attorney in State: Tatum McLaughlin '22
2021
Placed 7th at State
Best Witness nominees:  Avery Berg '23, Maggie Johnson '23, Finn McSherry '23, Natalie Graham '21
Best Attorney nominees: Sonja Washburn '21, Mason McIlwain '21, Tatum McLaughlin '22, Parker Campbell '22
2018
Outstanding Attorney Award: Chloe Rubin '20
Outstanding Witness Award: Sonja Washburn '21
2017
Outstanding Witness Awards: Hannah McConnell '20, Sydney Janssen '18,  and Else-Rose Ratzliff '17
Outstanding Attorney Awards: Savannah Westra '19 and Stella Esenten-Cicon '17
2016
Seattle Academy team qualified for the State Tournament
Seattle Academy team finished 8th in the King County Tournament
Outstanding Witness Awards: Blake Calvo '19, Jayden Yoppolo '19, and Sam Gray '16
Outstanding Attorney Awards: Hannah Davis '19, Stella Esenten-Cicon '17, and Sam Gray '16
Can I be an attorney? Can I be a witness?
Do I have to be in the Mock Trial class to participate in Mock Trial?
Can I do a winter sport or show and participate in Mock Trial?
Does Mock Trial have a no cut policy like other SAAS programs?
Students can participate in Mock Trial can be either an attorney or a witness. Regardless of which role you are interested in, both attorneys and witnesses must sign-up for both the fall and winter trimester classes to be a member of the team. We do our best to accommodate student preferences for role choice, but the final decision will be made by the coaches.
Yes. Class time is when the majority of our work to prepare and practice for competition occurs. If you are not enrolled in the class, you will not obtain the knowledge and skills need in order to participate.
Often SAAS students do sports or a show and still participate in Mock Trial. Since most of the work is done during the school day, students have most of their evenings and weekends open for other activities. However, since Mock Trial is unlike other competitive teams in that we have very few actual competition dates, it is imperative that students who choose to participate in Mock Trial can commit to being present for those dates.
Yes. Any student interested in being on the Mock Trial team who is able to enroll in the class will have a role on the team. We run two teams each year, which can accommodate 24 students. ​​​​​​​