Objection: My Journey From Confused To Convinced
September 13, 2024
High school students handprint "The Rock" at FDU Mini Law School 2024.
By: Alan Mowle, Karolina Sudol(Ed.) and Tracy Osawe(Ed.)
This past summer the Fairleigh Dickinson University (“FDU”) Mock Trial Team hosted a successful Mini Law School summer program (“MLS”) for high school students (grades 9-12). MLS, which occurs every summer, offers high school students a unique opportunity to learn about the law through mock trials. Throughout the duration of the program, students engage in lectures and activities lead by FDU Professors Madelyn Ferrans, Esq. and Bruce Peabody, Ph.D. In those lectures, students gain substantive knowledge about the various sources of existing law, the numerous areas of legal practice and litigation strategies. Thereafter, they utilize those newly learned litigation strategies to prepare and argue a case.
The following blog, which was written by 2023 and 2024 MLS participant, Alan Mowle, provides a brief description of his experience at FDU MLS.
Alan Mowle is a senior at Union High School in Union, New Jersey. Alan’s favorite subjects are law and history. Alan is a member of the Men’s Varsity Volleyball team at his high school. He also engages in a variety of extracurricular activities which include the Law Club (of which he is founder and president), Key Club, Peer Ambassadors and Student Buddy.
After graduating high school, Alan plans to attend college in New Jersey. He also plans to continue working with his local Boys and Girls Club.
Reflecting on just over a year ago, I remember feeling lost and unsure about my future. I had considered numerous careers paths – veterinarian, engineer, astronaut, etc. – however none of them felt right. I knew I was smart (and I engaged in a variety of extracurricular activities), so I was confused by the fact that I somehow struggled to find a sense of direction.
Like many other people my age I knew that I enjoyed “legal” TV shows. Watching the judges and attorneys command attention with confidence and authority (in their fancy suits) was captivating. Especially when I take into consideration the fact that I was a very anxious kid. As much as I was fascinated by the nature of that world on television, I knew nothing about it in real life. However, that quickly changed when I met with my school counselor in May 2023 and told her that I wanted to pursue a career as an attorney.
Some of my friends and family were skeptical about my newfound dream. They believed that my choice of career path either didn’t fit my “vibe” or that I simply did not know “how much work actually goes into that”. Despite such opinions, I continued meeting with my counselor in order to find summer programs that could teach me some basic information about the law. Shortly thereafter, my counselor told me about the Mini Law School summer program (MLS) at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). The moment I got home, I asked my mom to help me sign up for the program. I was excited about that new chapter of my life.
On my first day of MLS 2023, I was especially nervous. I had minimal legal experience, mostly based upon watching a few mock trial videos on YouTube. As I walked around the classroom to find the seat with my name tag, I was uncertain about the entire situation. That feeling quickly changed when the lectures began. In fact, MLS 2023 actually exceeded my expectations. The MLS lectures, which were taught by FDU Professors Madelyn Ferrans, Esq. and Dr. Bruce Peabody, were a perfect blend of debate and analytical questions that encouraged the students to think at a higher level. They also incorporated a variety of inclusive activities that took everyone’s level of legal expertise into consideration.
On the final day, we gathered all of the material we learned over the course of the week, and we engaged in a mock trial. It was a serious event (and I was very nervous) but I couldn’t stop smiling. I was simply having the time of my life. Although my team did not win and I did not earn any awards during MLS 2023, I left FDU feeling enriched by all of the new skills and knowledge that I had gained. Additionally, since my high school (Union High School) does not offer many legal courses, I had the opportunity to speak with Professor Ferrans about establishing a Pre-Law Club at my school. Professor Ferrans provided me with both words of wisdom and guidance that were invaluable with regard to the establishment of the “Law Club” at Union High School. It was clear that she cared about my future and that she believed in me. That support paid off.
When I returned to school in the fall, I was eager to attend my “Intro to Law” class. I was able to utilize the notes that I took during MLS 2023 which resulted in the execution of my successful performance at my school’s mock trial. Over twenty of my objections were sustained and I left my classmates in awe. My success is a testament to the preparation provided by FDU.
As the spring of 2024 approached, I could not stop raving to friends and family about the fact that I was going to attend MLS again in the summer of 2024. Fast forward to July 27, 2024 (the first day of MLS 2024), I was driving through the beautiful FDU Florham campus determined to show everyone what I could do. My familiarity with the welcoming environment was an amazing experience. The support I received from Professor Ferrans, Dr. Peabody and the FDU Student Leaders was once again the highlight of my summer.
After four days of hard work and countless hours of studying at home, it was time for another MLS mock trial. I reviewed my notes and practiced my closing statement alongside my teammates and the two wonderful FDU Student Leaders (Karolina “Lina” Sudol, a sophomore and a former MLS attendee, and Elizabeth Tapia, a junior and the president of the FDU Mock Trial Team) who were crucial to my team’s preparation process. Once again, I began to feel that same nervousness I felt during MLS 2023. But that feeling quickly went away when I looked over and I saw Lina and Elizabeth giving me reassuring smiles and my mother giving me a thumbs up. By the time the judge walked in I was confident in both myself and my abilities.
My journey with the members of the FDU Pre-Law program has been transformative. I am no longer the anxious and confused kid who doubted his abilities. I am a confident student with the goals of attending university and law school as well as becoming a successful practicing attorney. MLS did not only validate my childhood fascination with the law and the powerful men and women I watched on TV, but it also equipped me with skills and experiences that will benefit me for a lifetime.
To anyone navigating an uncertain path I encourage you to focus on what you love rather than what you’re currently good at. Opportunities for learning and growth are abundant. Once a person finds what they love it will lead to both personal and professional development as they progress in their career path.
This is my journey from confused to convinced and it was all thanks to the Mini Law School summer program at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
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The FDU Mock Trial Team would like to congratulate Alan for winning the MLS 2024 Best Attorney Award.
The FDU Mock Trial Team would like to thank the following individuals for playing the role of judges: Gary F. Werner, Esq. (partner at Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP), Joseph Maddaloni Jr., Esq. (partner at Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP) and Shytail Clay (FDU Alumni, Class of 2024).
We would also like to thank FDU Professors Madelyn Ferrans, Esq. and Dr. Bruce Peabody for dedicating their respective summers to developing an outstanding mock case, curriculum and lectures.
Finally, we would like to thank our FDU Student Leaders for their support throughout the duration of MLS 2024: Tracy Osawe (junior and Mini Law School Chair), Karolina Sudol (sophomore and former MLS attendee), Elizabeth Tapia (junior and FDU Mock Trial Team President), Brianna La Padula (senior and FDU Mock Trial Team Vice President),Humza Majid (junior and member of the FDU Mock Trial Team), Kayla Brennan (senior), Felicia Rogers-Carter (senior), Kasey Jaimes (sophomore) and Faith Cardillo (sophomore).