Edited with new information on March 31 at 10:50 a.m.

A new club on campus aims to give students a preview of arguing like a lawyer.

The Bowling Green State University Mock Trial organization was formed by a group of students who noticed the campus lacked a mock trial club and wanted the opportunity to experience one in college, said Renee Birnbaum, an assistant teaching professor, pre-law adviser and formerly the club’s faculty adviser.

Birnbaum said the goal of the club is to eventually become a team and compete against mock trial teams from other colleges. During competitions, teams face off in simulated court trials, acting as either the plaintiff or the defense.

“Schools that are registered as bona fide collegiate trial teams receive a case with a set of evidentiary rules modeled after real ones,” Birnbaum said. “Students assign themselves roles. If it’s a criminal case, there are prosecutors, defense attorneys, opening statements, closing arguments, direct examinations, cross-examinations and witness roles.”

During competitions, judges award points to teams, with the team earning the most points declared the winner. Individual awards are also given, including best witness, best prosecutor and best defense attorney.

Birnbaum emphasized the club is open to all students, not just those pursuing pre-law.

“All students, no matter their skill level, are welcome to join the club and participate,” Birnbaum said. “Even if students do not want to compete, they are welcome to be members of mock trial.”

She added that students of all majors can develop valuable skills through mock trial, including public speaking, impromptu speaking, communication and teamwork.

Since the interview with Birnbaum in Nov. 2025, Patrick Pauken has taken over as the faculty advisor of the mock trial club.

Since publication, the group competed at regionals at Dayton University on Feb. 14 to 15.  This was their first in-person competition since forming.

At the competition, the group earned the Spirit of American Mock Trial Association Award.  This award comes from nominations from other teams at the event.  Nominations stem from teams who best exemplified courtesy, civility and other important mock trial traits.

To join, students aren’t required to tryout if they want to become a paralegal.  But in order to be a competing member, a tryout is required.