Hofstra Law School together with Plainview Old Bethpage School District will be hosting the 18th Annual Moot Court Tournament on Thursday, March 29. Teams from approximately 15 high schools from Nassau, Suffolk and Queens participate in the prestigious tournament. This year, more than 35 judges, attorneys and court officials will volunteer as judges at each of the trials, including Judge Joseph Covello, Judge Barbara Lynaugh and Judge William O'Brien. In addition, numerous attorneys from area law firms volunteer to participate in this educational event.

"This tournament is a terrific opportunity to expose opportunities in legal education and careers to high school students," said Amy Stein, professor of Legal Writing and assistant dean for Adjunct Instruction at Hofstra Law School. "The presence of judges, attorneys, law professors and other members of the legal community are an important factor to the success and prestige of this tournament."

Each participating high school, including Ezra Academy, Massapequa HS, Elmont HS, Syosset HS, Island Trees HS and WT Clarke HS, among others, brings two teams comprised of three students to compete, in addition to several other student and faculty observers. Each team competes in three out of the four first round trials. Students receive the case "depositions" just 15 minutes prior to trial. Teams role-play an actual trial with one student lawyer, one student witness and one student legal assistant. Judges score each team on several categories and the top four schools with the highest points advance to the semifinal round, where teams compete for first place.

Hofstra Law School, founded in 1970, is accredited by the ABA and boasts an alumni body of nearly 9,000 graduates. The school is located on the Hofstra University campus in Hempstead, New York. In addition to a full-time juris doctor (J.D.) degree program, Hofstra Law School offers part-time day and evening J.D. programs as well as numerous graduate degree programs. For additional program information, please visit law.hofstra.edu.