FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2000

CONTACT
Judith Berrett, Director of Communications
206-727-8212
e-mail: judithb@wsba.org

Public Invited to Attend Mock Jury Trial

Seattle, Washington, August 25, 2000 - Lawyers, judges and others involved in our legal system will assemble in Spokane September 13-16 for Celebration 2000, anticipated to be the largest legal gathering in Washington state history.

One of the highlights of the conference will be a mock jury trial, to be held in the Spokane Opera House over a two-day period – Friday, September 15 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 16 from 8:45 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) and Washington State Judiciary are pleased to invite the public to attend this program at no charge. The program will start promptly on both days. Reservations are not required; however, seats for the public will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Commented WSBA President, Spokane attorney Richard C. Eymann, "This is a rare opportunity for members of the public to learn about our justice system; the program will be as true to life as possible. The mock trial deals with a civil action involving a student claim against a school district for sexual harassment at school, and it promises to be entertaining and compelling. We're delighted to invite the general public to attend this Celebration 2000 program. Hundreds of area high-school students will be present, and we hope to welcome other members of the community as well."

Produced by the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, the mock trial will feature some of Washington's finest attorneys, as well as Verna Williams of Washington, DC, who argued a similar case in the United States Supreme Court. Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard P. Guy will play the role of the judge. Presentations will include live demonstrations regarding pre-trial motions, jury selection, examination of witnesses, and opening statement and closing argument of counsel. "Freeze-frame" commentary will occur throughout the program.

Under the theme of "Working Together to Champion Justice," Celebration 2000 will be an unprecedented opportunity for members of the bench, bar and access-to-justice community to come together to discuss legal issues and goals, and consider how to champion justice for all residents of our state.

The Washington State Bar Association is a non-profit organization authorized by the Washington State Supreme Court to license the state's 25,000 lawyers. The WSBA both regulates lawyers under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association - all without public funding. As a regulatory agency, it administers the bar examination, provides record-keeping and licensing functions, and administers the lawyer discipline program. As a professional association, it provides continuing legal education for attorneys, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities. The mission of the WSBA is to promote justice and serve its members and the public.

The Washington State Judiciary includes more than 400 elected judges, serving on four levels of court: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, superior courts and courts of limited jurisdiction.