Showcase Artifact 2: Mock Trial

I am a future criminal defense attorney who is data-driven and justice-minded. My journey toward this career has been significantly shaped by my participation in the Honors program, which has provided me with critical resources, opportunities, and personal growth experiences. Through Honors, I have been able to access funding that made my educational journey possible, build a professional network, and explore in-depth the areas I am passionate about through honors contracts. My ePortfolio serves as a culmination of these experiences, showcasing my growth and targeting law school admissions offices and legal professionals who can see the depth of my academic and professional development.

 

Honors has played a foundational role in my professional growth by instilling in me the confidence to pursue ambitious opportunities. When I first entered college, I never imagined that I would be studying abroad in Berlin, leading my mock trial team at Regionals, conducting high-level research for my honors capstone paper, or participating in the Washington Leadership Program. I have also collaborated with other Honors students in Undergraduate Student Government, which allowed me to be nominated and confirmed as the Chief Justice. I have worked with other actors in the government to standardize the Court’s justice system and case flow. These experiences have allowed me to develop not only as a student but as a professional and as a civic-minded individual. Each of these artifacts in my ePortfolio serves as evidence of my growth, highlighting how I have developed a commitment to public service and civic engagement.

 

A quote that has deeply influenced my personal and professional philosophy comes from John Steinbeck’s East of Eden: "And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good." I reflected on this quote in my law school personal statement, as it encapsulates one of the most significant lessons I have learned during my time in the Honors program. When I first enrolled in H200, I was consumed by perfectionism. I measured my success in terms of grades, rankings, and external validation. However, through my time in Honors, I have come to realize that true success is found in passion and purpose. I no longer strive for perfection for its own sake; instead, I am driven by genuine enthusiasm for my studies and my future career. For the first time, I felt an almost child-like excitement at the prospect of going to class. I found myself taking meticulous notes, asking thought-provoking questions, and listening attentively to lectures—not because I had to, but because I wanted to. The Honors program, through contracts and research opportunities, provided me with the space to explore my passions more deeply, allowing me to engage with criminal justice in ways that were both academic and practical.

 

This passion became actionable when I joined the mock trial team, an experience that was strongly supported by the Honors program. Honors provided funding for my tournaments and allowed me to promote mock trial volunteering and involvement opportunities through their newsletter. These resources made it possible for me to engage with legal advocacy in a hands-on way, deepening my understanding of the legal system. As I prepare to become a defense attorney, I carry with me the lesson that perfection is not the ultimate goal, and that people—including my future clients—are capable of goodness even if they have made mistakes. Just as I learned to extend grace to myself in my journey away from perfectionism, I will extend that same grace to my clients, seeing them as individuals rather than as the sum of their legal circumstances.

 

Another quote that has profoundly shaped my understanding of the criminal justice system is from Fyodor Dostoyevsky: "A society should be judged not by how it treats its outstanding citizens but by how it treats its criminals." This idea has been central to my studies in criminal justice and my work in the legal field. Through my honors coursework, I have engaged with this philosophy critically, examining what it means for a society to truly rehabilitate and support those within the criminal justice system. I firmly believe that we cannot claim to have a just system unless we extend fairness, dignity, and opportunity to those who have been accused or convicted of crimes. This belief has fueled my commitment to criminal defense, as I see it as the most direct way to ensure that the system operates fairly and equitably.

 

In the same vein, I have been influenced by Stafford Beer's insight: "The purpose of a system is what it does." This quote is particularly relevant to the criminal justice system, which often functions in ways that do not align with its stated goals of justice and rehabilitation. If we want a system that truly reforms and rehabilitates, then we must actively work to create one that produces those outcomes. As a future criminal defense attorney, I want to be a part of that transformation. My experiences in Honors have prepared me for this by encouraging me to question existing structures, seek out innovative solutions, and approach legal problems with both analytical rigor and empathy.

 

The artifacts in my ePortfolio demonstrate the confidence and curiosity that I have developed through my time in the Honors program. They represent my willingness to embrace new experiences, step outside of my comfort zone, and learn from challenges. I have had the opportunity to study legal systems in Berlin, intern in Washington, D.C., and litigate mock cases at a Regional level. Each of these experiences has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of the law, making me a more effective legal thinker. They have also set me up for success as I transition into law school as a Courtroom Scholar at Drexel Kline School of Law in Philadelphia.

 

The philosophical shifts I have experienced in Honors have helped me develop a well-informed foundation for continued learning, growth, and maturity. Exposure to diverse viewpoints—both in legal settings and in the classroom—has challenged me to refine my own beliefs and develop a more nuanced understanding of justice. I have learned to approach problems from multiple angles, to question assumptions, and to seek out the deeper systemic issues that contribute to injustice. These are skills that I will carry with me into my legal career, using them to advocate for my clients and to work toward meaningful change in the justice system.

 

Ultimately, my time in the Honors program has been transformative. It has shaped my identity as a student, a professional, and a future criminal defense attorney. The funding, mentorship, and opportunities I have received have been invaluable, allowing me to grow in ways I never imagined possible. As I move forward in my career, I will carry with me the lessons I have learned: the importance of passion over perfection, the necessity of justice for all individuals, and the belief that meaningful change is always possible. Through my work in the legal field, I hope to contribute to a system that truly upholds fairness and dignity for all, living out the values that the Honors program has helped me cultivate.