In Hamilton, King George asks in song, “What Comes Next?” It is a question that leaders interested in the continuity and longevity of their organizations address. In our profession, the answer to that question will be shaped, at least in part, by who is entering it.
My first regular involvement with the San Diego County Bar Association was as a coach for the High School Mock Trial Competition. I cannot put my finger on what called me to do it. Perhaps I had that teaching gene. Mom was a career elementary school teacher. Dad became a school superintendent after his Marine Corps career ended. Maybe it was something else. I enjoyed the mock trials I had engaged in while in law school. Perhaps I wanted a taste of that controlled, but creative environment again. But whatever it was, I was glad that I volunteered.
For a number of years, I was blindly teamed with other volunteers. In fact, my initial pairing was with the Honorable Victor Bianchini, somebody who, several years later, I was so privileged to serve on the SDCBA Board with. But as great as meeting and befriending new members of the legal community was, the competitors were the highlight.
Each year, I was amazed by how incredibly skillful and eager to learn the teams were. These teenagers engaged in their own theory-crafting and learned how to develop storytelling through evidence presentation. In each of our twice-per-week meetings, the independent work they put in was evident. And it reflected so well in the end product, the trial presentations at the competition itself. The gratification I feel has been amplified by the fact that several of my students stay in contact with me, and a number have gone on to practice law, in part due to their experience with the program.
Coaching the teams was not a high-profile position. It was not going to make me more visible in the legal community. But it was some of the most rewarding volunteer work I have done. I encourage anybody who wants to be inspired by some upcoming talent to take part. To coach a team, you will need to wait until the fall. But the program could really use some volunteer scorers over the next few weeks (you can sign up here). Who knows, maybe you will witness one of the first trial presentations of a future colleague. And when, in a few years, you see the resume and writing sample come across your desk, you can say — or sing — “I Know Him,” her, or them.
Yours,
David Majchrzak
2022 SDCBA President