Orange County Bar Association promotes Law Week with judge shadowing, mock trials and student contests

Jessica Travis, a managing partner at Fighter Law and a member of the Orange County Bar Association's Civic Engagement and Law Week Committee, described a slate of educational activities aimed at students and the public during a local TV appearance.

"The Civic Engagement and Law Week Committee is one of the committees of the Orange County Bar Association," Travis said, explaining the committee's goal "to foster legal education and information" and to encourage civic interest in the legal professions.

She detailed the March 13 "Pathways in the Law" program, which she said allows high school students to visit the courthouse, meet and shadow judges, participate in a mock trial and hear from interpreters, court reporters, bailiffs and attorneys. For younger children, the committee presents simplified mock trials (Travis described a playful "Big Bad Wolf vs. Curly Pig" trial) to teach the role of juries and basic legal concepts.

Travis also described the Liberty Bell Award, which honors a non-attorney who promotes civic education and respect for the rule of law; the committee was accepting nominations with a March deadline. She said Law Week culminates in poster and speech contests for elementary through high school students under the 2026 theme "the rule of law and the American dream," and invited schools and students to apply via the Orange County Bar Association website.

Travis emphasized the outreach focus: "We focus a lot on students," and said the program aims to spark interest in law careers and civic engagement among students who may have limited exposure to courts or legal professionals.