Aspiring lawyers get a head start at American Legion, Missouri Boys State, American Legion Auxiliary, Missouri Girls State
Over 1,500 Missouri high school students got a taste of the legal world last month at a joint session of The American Legion Missouri Boys State and The American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State, held at Lindenwood University June 22-29.
These prestigious programs, known for their selective nature and in-depth government instruction, provided students with a unique opportunity to explore legal careers. Members of The Missouri Bar actively participated in this year's event, leading the law class, hosting a panel discussion with female Supreme Court of Missouri judges, and organizing oral arguments before the Missouri Court of Appeals-Eastern District.
The Missouri Bar's involvement with the law course at ALA MGS dates back to 2002, when the bar’s Leadership Academy revamped the course and submitted it for accreditation. This year, the law course attracted over 300 enthusiastic participants from both AL MBS and ALA MGS.
The class served as a crash course in the court system and core law school subjects like civil and criminal procedure, torts, and the rules of evidence. It included mock trials, a mock bar exam, and a final exam to earn college credit through Lindenwood University.
“Like so many lawyers, my sense of greater purpose lies at the intersection of mentorship and civic education,” said 2023-2024 Missouri Bar President Megan Phillips. “It was a true privilege to be part of the law school instruction team at The American Legion Missouri Boys State and The American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girl’s State.”
In addition to the law class, students heard insights from a distinguished panel of Supreme Court of Missouri judges, moderated by 2023-2024 Missouri Bar President Megan Phillips. They also witnessed firsthand the workings of the Missouri Court of Appeals through an oral arguments session hosted by the court.
These engaging experiences offered by The Missouri Bar and the Missouri court system provided a springboard for students to consider the vast and rewarding possibilities of a law career.