At the National Student Leadership Conference’s high school summer law program, the courtroom becomes your classroom as you assume the role of trial attorney and battle for justice. Work hand-in-hand with practising attorneys as you examine the evidence, research the issues and build your case. Guilty or innocent, prosecution or defense, you and your co-counsel affect the outcome.
College Credit is Available for This Program
The National Student Leadership Conference has a unique partnership with American University to offer college credit for our high school summer programs. The American University is distinguished as a premier global university and known for turning “ideas into action and action into service.” As a result of this NSLC/AU alliance, students attending the NSLC’s summer programs for high school students have the opportunity to take college credit classes taught by American University faculty at all NSLC locations. This credit option enhances your education within the framework of your program experience, without interrupting NSLC activities.
Read more about earning college credit through your NSLC program.
Program Highlights
Criminal trial simulation
You and your team will master courtroom techniques as you try a challenging case – from preparing and examining witnesses to crafting and delivering a closing statement.
Law school visit
Learn what law school is like from admissions officers and current students.
Guest speakers
Meet with leading trial, jury, forensic and legal experts from the top law firms, the Department of Justice and the court system.
Dates & Locations
Yale University
New Haven, CT
- June 24 – July 2
- July 6 – July 14
- July 18 – July 26
- July 30 – August 7
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
- June 25 – July 3
- July 7 – July 15
- July 19 – July 27
- August 1 – August 9
Prepare and try a case in a real courtroom
Hands-on Simulations
The NSLC’s high school summer law program uses an interactive approach to learning that gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the challenging complexities of the judicial process. You and your team will prepare and try a case in a real courtroom. You will research the evidence, prepare your witnesses, craft your arguments and ultimately present your case before a judge. Your performance will determine the fate of the accused.
Our college-level lecture series from practicing attorneys will give you a foundation of knowledge on the fundamentals of trial preparation and courtroom techniques, including:
- Homicide Laws
- Witness Preparation
- Opening Statements
- Direct Examination
- Evidentiary Procedure and Cross-Examination
Meet Law Professionals
While at the NSLC, you will meet with and learn from leaders in the legal community. In past years, NSLC students have heard from special guest speakers including Supreme Court Justices, Attorneys General and accomplished trial attorneys.
Justice David Souter
U.S. Supreme Court
Professor Joe Daly
Professor and drafter of the Vietnam Constitution
Judge Reggie Walton
US District Judge, District of Columbia District Courts
Justice Dennis Eveleigh
Connecticut Supreme Court
Dean Heather Gerken
Dean, Yale Law School
See behind-the-scenes at a courthouse
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
An important part of the NSLC’s high school summer law program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Law:
- Yale Law School
- Connecticut Supreme Court
- US Attorney’s Office
- New Haven Courthouse
- Times Square
- Rockefeller Center
- The Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court
- U.S. Federal Courthouse
- Historic D.C. Monuments at Night
- The Smithsonian Institution
- The Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Baltimore Harbor
Leadership Training
At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. From the beginning of your program you will learn to work as a team during an exciting Ropes Challenge Course. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the Law & Advocacy program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Conflict Resolution
- Negotiation
- Public Speaking
- Stress & Time Management
Your NSLC tuition is all-inclusive. Your tuition covers course materials, housing, on-campus meals, social events and transportation throughout your program.
We offer a comprehensive scholarship program to assist qualified students with the cost of NSLC tuition, based on financial need, academic merit and extracurriculars.
Fundraising is a great way to raise funds to contribute toward your NSLC program tuition while also forging relationships with leaders in your community.