SPRINGFIELD, IL – Two Bloomington attorneys and the Mock Trial Program at Illinois State University (ISU) in Normal will receive the first “Lawyers Care” award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on Thursday, September 9, during a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Faculty Commons area of the Bone Student Center, ISU campus.  ISU President Al Bowman will attend.  PLEASE NOTE: THE ACTUAL PRESENTATION TIME IS 4:30 p.m.

ISBA President Mark D. Hassakis, an attorney from Mt. Vernon, Ill., will present the award. A cornerstone of his term as president, the award pays tribute to Illinois attorneys whose contributions to their local communities are exemplary.

Accepting the awards will be Scott Kording, the principal of Campbell & Kording, and Mick Hall of the Hall Law Group. The state bar association also will recognize Thomas McClure, ISU professor and Director of Legal Studies, who is the educator coach of the mock trial team.

The ISU Mock Trial Program, established more than 20 years ago, is unique. Students are required to complete a Trial Advocacy course, which includes delivering opening statements and closing arguments, conduct direct and cross examinations of witnesses, and meet objections based on the Rules of Evidence. They are invited to join the intercollegiate mock trial team and participate in competitions on the basis of their performance in this course.

“Because of its success, due in no small part to the excellent coaching of Scott Kording and Mick Hall, we have expanded the number of tournaments in which the team competes,” said McClure. Over the last two years, two ISU teams advanced from the American Mock Trial Association regional to the national Opening Round Championship Tournament.

“Although we certainly like to win, this is not our focus,” McClure continued. “We want our students to become successful litigators armed with skills they can use after they graduate.”

At the ceremony, Politics & Government Department Chair Ali Riaz will announce that the ISU Paralegal Studies Program has been approved by the American Bar Association.

The 33,000-member Illinois State Bar Association, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public.