ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A lawyer in the Finger Lakes region is helping disadvantaged students compete in the courtroom.
It’s all part of an effort to help kids suit up for success and find the next generation of New York attorneys.
From ties, dress pants, blazers and belts, everything a student might need to make a strong first impression can be expensive. Which is why attorney Edward Hourihan, from Bond, Schoeneck & King, is making sure these suits are free of cost.
“Kids need an opportunity, particularly kids that are economically disadvantaged and, if we can give them part of that opportunity, they can have the same experiences, maybe people that weren’t so economically disadvantaged,” Hourihan said. “And why should they not also be entitled to those opportunities? They should, and they are.”
The free suit-up event is dedicated to kids participating in the statewide high school mock trial tournament run each year by the New York State Bar Association. All schools are eligible to participate, but in Monroe County, the only teams coached by the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, is East High School and Vertus High School.
“It gives them a sense of confidence and gives them a sense of purpose,” Hourihan said. “And it shows them that they belong exactly where they are.”
“To see them wanting to learn how to admit something into evidence and being interested in the elements of burglary,” court attorney Brian Comerford said. “I mean, that’s really cool to see at their young age.”
The lawyers under Judge Stephen Lindley have organized this community outreach project to help give Vertus High School students like Mekhi Dearring-Walker and Jean Pierre an experience they won’t forget.
“Makes me look more sharp and everyone is going to look at me like, ‘Oh, he knows, he means business,’” Dearring-Walker said.
“We all talked about our nice shoes,” Pierre said. “Our nice shirts. What’s going to happen to the courtroom? We decided that [we should] somewhat match so we can look like a family. And we probably nailed it in the ring.”
They are finding suits to not only make a great first impression, but also have a huge impact on their academic success.
“A suit is so important because it gives you character and personification,” Pierre said. “It’s honestly one of the best experiences I had. And it’s just something I’m going to take with me for years and years.”
The tournament will take four teams in Monroe County to advance to the semi-finals. Winners of the county tournament will then advance to the New York state tournament for the finals in Albany. In this educational program, high school students gain first-hand knowledge of civil/criminal law and courtroom procedures, with thousands of students participating each year.