Last week, 18 Minneapolis high school students participated in the second annual Court Camp, an education initiative offered by the Community Outreach and Diversity Committees of the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

The five-day program presented at the Minneapolis Federal Courthouse included introductions to various agencies in the courthouse, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Defender’s Office, the Probation Office, and other law enforcement agencies. Students also attended a Naturalization Ceremony and a Reentry Court Session. Paired with an attorney mentor, students engaged in other learning opportunities such as civics education and presentations from a variety of legal professionals, all of which culminated with a mock trial. 

The Community Outreach Committee, co-chaired by Best & Flanagan’s Amy Conners, seeks to promote the FBA’s mission — to strengthen the federal legal system, the administration of justice, and the rule of law — by engaging with community members, outside organizations, and schools through events, activities, and other programs.

“It has been so rewarding to watch students engage with our system of justice,” said Conners. With their new-found advocacy skills, it is the FBA’s hope that these students better understand the justice system and are better prepared for college, civic engagement, and a possible career in the law.