Colleen M. Garlick Volunteers as Mock Trial Judge

March 11, 2015

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (March 10, 2015) – Attorney Colleen M. Garlick, an associate with the New Haven, Connecticut law firm of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. has taken on the role of mock trial judge for the 2015 Connecticut Middle School Mock Trial Competitions. The state-wide Middle School and High School mock trial competitions are an annual event cosponsored by CIVICSFIRST, a private, non-profit association established in 1976. CIVICSFIRST promotes and conducts law-related education programs with the goal of incorporating citizenship education into the curriculum of all schools, from kindergarten through high school.

Attorney Garlick is a mock trial veteran having been the former president of her Simsbury High School mock trial team and an avid competitor and board member of the Michigan State University College of Law’s Moot Court and Trial Advocacy. Ms. Garlick was encouraged to participate in mock trial team by her father, Attorney Gerald Garlick, but she credits her high school teacher and team advisor Miss Miller with igniting a passion and finding her voice in the courtroom. As a judge in the competition, Ms. Garlick must study the case problem thoroughly; understanding the big picture as well as minute details of the case. Attorneys volunteer to judge the competitions; to sit, rule, score and provide feedback to the students. Ms. Garlick feels that giving feedback is the most important aspect of her role and at some point she would also like to volunteer as a team coach.

Students in the competition assume the roles of plaintiff and defense attorneys, and witnesses for the plaintiff and defendant. Each year there is one case that all teams in the state prepare. Teams prepare both plaintiff and defense sides of the case. In competition, students try the case in an actual courtroom. Ms. Garlick enjoys being in the courtroom and states, “things change quickly and you need to think on your feet.” As a volunteer judge she sees many talented students who have worked hard, prepared well and are gaining the confidence to think on their feet.

Attorney Garlick earned her J.D. with honors from Michigan State University College of Law and her B.S. with honors from Boston University. Attorney Garlick practices with the firm’s Professional Malpractice & Liability Defense, Hospital & Medical Liability Defense and Litigation & Appeals practice groups with 100% of her practice devoted to litigation.

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