SPBMC Proudly Sponsors 22nd Annual Thurgood Marshall Junior Mock Trial Competition

SPBMC Managing Member Thomas J. McManus, Member Vito A. Cannavo and Associate Steve V. Fils-Aime recently attended the 22nd Annual Thurgood Marshall Junior Mock Trial Program Closing Ceremony. SPBMC is the main sponsor of the program, which was established in 1997 by Judge Elizabeth A. Taylor to enrich and empower the lives of middle school students while providing them with a positive introduction to the judicial system.

Over the course of four months, volunteer attorneys coach the participating 7th and 8th grade students to help prepare them to serve as mock prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses and jurors. During the competition, local judges preside over the mock trials and court officers and stenographers staff the courtrooms. This year, a total of 30 New York City schools participated in the program.

“This event is truly special, and we are always honored to be able to be a part of it. The students worked really hard throughout the course of the program, and it showed during the competition,”  Thomas McManus said of the event.

SPBMC thanks all of the judges, coaches, courtroom staff and organizers who helped this year’s program to be such a success. We also commend the competition’s founder, Judge Elizabeth A. Taylor, for creating such a valuable opportunity for New York middle school students and working diligently to maintain the excellence of the program. Finally, we congratulate each of the students who participated in this year’s program for their hard work and a job well done!