Hello!
Haverford Mock Trial is excited to announce that we are holding our Fourth Annual Black
Squirrel Invitational on November 9-10. We will once again be hosting the tournament at the Juanita
Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice in Center City, Philadelphia, last year’s venue for the
National Championship.
About Mock Trial
Mock Trial is a competitive simulation of real trial law that is equal parts law and acting. Students
prepare both a prosecution and defense argument that they pit against other schools in the American
Mock Trial Association (AMTA). Haverford Mock Trial is thrilled to once again host our Fall
invitational, a two-day tournament where schools can test new case theories and meet other students prior
to the Official AMTA Regionals.
Trials consist of two teams, each with three attorneys and three witnesses, that present
opening/closing statements, direct examinations, and cross examinations. Each of these segments is
scored by a panel of two or more judges based on the quality and consistency of witness acting, legal
arguments made by attorneys, and the persuasiveness of attorney questioning or rhetoric. Judges can be
anyone with a familiarity with either Mock Trial or the legal field in general - you do not need any prior
mock trial or courtroom experience to qualify. Before the tournament, we will send out information on
how to judge. Additionally we will have a training session the morning before the first round.
About the Teams
We are proud to be hosting one of the most competitive invitationals of the fall season. This
year’s Black Squirrel Invitational will host teams from 11 states ranging from the Southwest to the
Northeast. Nearly all competing teams have attended Nationals at least once in the past two years, many
having made it to Nationals both years. With this high level of competition, we aim to also get a high
level of judging to provide feedback for our competitors!
About Judging
There are two rounds each day of the tournament, making four in total. Any round you are willing
to come will be enormously helpful. Rounds can last up to three hours, though the vast majority do not.
We ask that you arrive approximately 30 minutes before your first round so that we can help explain the
process of judging and only 20 minutes before each additional round. We will provide coffee and bagels
throughout the day and lunch for judges who wish to judge two rounds on the same day. Additionally, if
you are looking for volunteer hours, we will write a certificate stating the number you volunteered upon
request.
If you are interested in judging, please complete this form. We will send more information as the
tournament date approaches. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about judging, please
email blacksquirrelinvitational@gmail.com.
We appreciate all your support and look forward to seeing you in November!
Daniel Bruce
Black Squirrel Tournament Director
