As chair of the Law Related Education (LRE) Committee, I wish you a most happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. The committee is busily working away on various projects and I would like to highlight some of them for you.
 
The High School Mock Trial Invitational will be held March 9-10, 2019, at the University of Illinois Springfield. Further information is available on the Law Related Education page of the ISBA website at www.isba.org/teachers. If your school has participated in the past, thank you and welcome back! If your school has not participated, please consider doing so. The mock trial process is a wonderful learning experience for all students regardless of their long-term goals. The mock trial teams do an amazing job addressing the issues presented by the problems. Of course, this would not be possible without the dedication of the students, teachers, and coaches. Thank you for guiding them through this process!
 
The Lawyers in the Classroom Program volunteers continue to visit schools to provide information related to our legal system. Visit www.isba.org/lawyersinclassrooms for a list of potential topics and to locate a presenter. The site also contains lesson plans on topics such as civic duty, the Illinois legislative process, and kids going to court. Pamphlets discussing jobs in the legal profession and driver’s licensing laws for minors are also available through the ISBA.
 
Law Related Education is not just for school students—it’s for adults as well. Another project of LRE, Courtroom in the Community, brings a program about the judicial system to adult civics and community organizations. Community groups may also request presentations on specific legal topics through the Speakers Bureau. More information about these programs can be found under the Speakers Bureau area at www.isba.org/civics/speakersbureau.
 
All these programs would not be possible without the dedicated members of LRE and other volunteers who support these projects. Thanks to all of them! Teachers, hope to see you and your team at the Mock Trial Invitational on March 9- 10, 2019, in Springfield!