Succeed
    In-person Programme

    Law & Advocacy

    by National Student Leadership Conference

    A residential pre-college law programme built around mock trials, courtroom procedure, legal reasoning, advocacy workshops and professional insight.

    Last verified: 4 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
    Law & Advocacy

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    Law and Advocacy at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Recently closed

    Eligibility

    Completed one high-school year

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Washington, DC; Ann Arbor, MI

    Cost

    $4,195; $4,395

    Duration

    9 days

    Format

    In-person residential

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Law & justiceDebatingPublic Speaking

    Accommodation: Supervised campus dormitory

    Meals: Campus dining included

    Residential availability: Required

    Campus experience: Classes, simulations, trips and tours

    College credit: Optional separate online course

    Law and Advocacy summary

    Students take the role of trial attorneys and prepare a simulated criminal case through evidence analysis, witness questioning, argument-building and courtroom procedure.

    The programme combines practical legal workshops with leadership development, professional speakers and location-specific visits to courts, law schools and public institutions.

    It suits students who want an immersive test of legal study and advocacy rather than lecture-only subject exposure.

    What is Law & Advocacy?

    Law & Advocacy is an experiential pre-college programme run by the National Student Leadership Conference. Students explore legal reasoning, ethics, constitutional principles and courtroom procedure by preparing a simulated case.

    The practical work includes jury selection, evidence procedure, opening and closing statements, and direct and cross-examination. Guest speakers and legal-sector visits add professional context, while a separate leadership curriculum develops communication, listening, resilience and empathy.

    Why Succeed highlights Law and Advocacy

    • The mock-trial format turns legal concepts into a sustained practical case rather than isolated classroom exercises.

    • Students practise several distinct advocacy stages, including jury selection, evidentiary procedure and witness examination.

    • Location-specific visits can connect classroom learning with courts, law schools and justice institutions.

    • The leadership curriculum develops communication and empathy alongside technical legal reasoning.

    • Residential campus life offers a realistic taste of an intensive pre-college environment.

    Who is Law and Advocacy for?

    Best for

    Students who want to test law through courtroom simulations, persuasive speaking and evidence analysis while experiencing residential campus life.

    Not ideal if

    You want a low-cost, non-residential or primarily lecture-based introduction to law.

    Is Law and Advocacy worth it?

    The programme can be worthwhile for a student who wants a concentrated, practical test of legal study. Its strongest feature is the combination of a continuing mock-trial case, professional perspectives and legal visits.

    The main limitation is value for money: tuition is substantial, travel is extra and optional college credit costs more. Treat it as an exploratory learning experience, not as a credential that will determine university admission.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $4,195; $4,395; includes Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Transport for off-campus programme events.

    Accommodation

    Supervised campus dormitory

    Meals

    Campus dining included

    Provider details

    Review the National Student Leadership Conference provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    9 days; Washington, DC; Ann Arbor, MI.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programmes

    How much preparation does Law and Advocacy need?

    Effort level

    High-intensity residential programme.

    Best started

    Begin planning two to three months before your preferred session, allowing extra time for travel, funding and visa arrangements.

    Main challenge

    Building persuasive arguments while responding to evidence and witnesses.

    Typical preparation

    • Review basic criminal-trial stages and the roles of judge, jury, prosecution and defence.

    • Practise turning evidence into a short claim supported by clear reasoning.

    • Prepare questions for legal professionals and note what you want to learn about legal careers.

    • Arrange travel, dietary information and required documents well before arrival.

    Useful if

    You enjoy debate, close reading and speaking under pressure.

    What do students do on Law and Advocacy?

    Students develop and argue a simulated criminal case while learning the procedures and communication techniques used by trial attorneys.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Examine precedent, constitutional principles and the facts of a legal case.

    2. 2

      Explore juror backgrounds and potential bias through a jury-selection exercise.

    3. 3

      Learn how evidence is admitted, presented, evaluated and challenged.

    4. 4

      Prepare persuasive opening and closing statements.

    5. 5

      Plan and conduct direct and cross-examination of witnesses.

    6. 6

      Present the case through a courtroom mock trial.

    7. 7

      Join leadership workshops, professional talks and location-specific visits.

    Law and Advocacy dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Accepted while programme or waitlist space remained.

    Reference date

    Georgetown session 1

    12-20 June 2026

    Washington, DC; $4,395 residential.

    Reference date

    Georgetown session 2

    24 June-2 July 2026

    Washington, DC; $4,395 residential.

    Reference date

    Georgetown session 3

    8-16 July 2026

    Washington, DC; $4,395 residential.

    Reference date

    Georgetown session 4

    20-28 July 2026

    Washington, DC; $4,395 residential.

    Reference date

    Michigan session 1

    8-16 July 2026

    Ann Arbor; $4,195 residential.

    Reference date

    Michigan session 2

    21-29 July 2026

    Ann Arbor; $4,195 residential.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Aged 14-18 for high-school programmes

    • Completed at least one high-school year

    • May attend through summer after graduation

    • Academic excellence and leadership ability encouraged

    How much does Law and Advocacy cost?

    2026 programme fee

    $4,195; $4,395 — Residential tuition varied by location.

    Funding or discounts

    • Scholarships: Usually $500-$1,000 — Financial need required; latest verified 2026 cycle.
    • Payment plan: Monthly payments — Available under the published 2026 terms.
    • Optional college credit: $1,044 — Separate one-credit online American University course.

    What's included

    Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Transport for off-campus programme events

    How to apply to Law and Advocacy

    1. 1

      Confirm the student meets the high-school age and study requirements.

    2. 2

      Open the NSLC online enrolment application.

    3. 3

      Enter the student's birth date, current grade and requested details.

    4. 4

      Choose an available Law and Advocacy campus session.

    5. 5

      Submit the application and place the required deposit by card.

    6. 6

      Contact NSLC if the deposit must be paid by check.

    7. 7

      Check the student account for enrolment, travel and availability updates.

    What does Law and Advocacy cover?

    The programme covers the following focus areas.

    Mock Trial

    Prepare and argue a challenging simulated criminal case in a courtroom.

    Jury Selection

    Explore potential jurors' backgrounds and biases before trial.

    Courtroom Arguments

    Develop persuasive opening statements and compelling closing conclusions.

    Evidence Procedure

    Study how legal evidence is admitted, evaluated and challenged.

    Witness Examination

    Practise direct and cross-examination strategies for building a case narrative.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    Who teaches on Law and Advocacy?

    Programme workshops are supplemented by guest speakers with practical legal and public-service experience. Previous speakers have included judges, law-school leaders, attorneys and professionals from courts and federal agencies.

    Speaker line-ups may vary by session and year.

    Where do students stay on Law and Advocacy?

    Residential plan

    • Campus dormitory: All students live in supervised university accommodation.
    • Meals: On-campus meals are provided through campus dining services.
    • Staff supervision: Team Advisors accompany groups and live on student floors overnight.
    • Campus security: Students receive building access, and the dormitory front desk is monitored continuously.
    • Trips and activities: Tuition includes programme trips, tours, activities and off-campus event transport.

    Students are housed with one or two roommates on a floor with peers in their age range.

    What happens after Law and Advocacy?

    After completing this programme, participants often pursue:

    Use the experience to test whether law suits your interests.

    Build examples of legal reasoning for later reflection.

    Develop public-speaking and advocacy confidence.

    Draw on academic experiences in application essays or interviews.

    Consider the optional separate American University credit course.

    Participation does not guarantee admission to a university or law pathway.

    Where does Law and Advocacy take place?

    The latest verified cycle ran at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Each location combined university-campus living with different legal, cultural and sightseeing visits in the surrounding region.

    Trips may vary by session, and Summer 2027 locations are not yet announced.

    Law and Advocacy FAQs

    Students prepare and argue a challenging simulated criminal case. The process includes evidence work, jury selection, opening and closing statements, and witness examination.

    No previous legal study is listed as a requirement. Students must meet the age and high-school attendance criteria.

    Yes. Students are required to live in supervised campus dormitories and receive meals through campus dining services.

    Tuition includes housing, on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, trips, tours, activities and transport for off-campus programme events.

    No. Travel to and from the programme is not included, and airport shuttles may require an additional fee.

    Yes. NSLC offers financial-need scholarships, with academic merit and school or community involvement also considered. Students must enrol and place a deposit before applying.

    An optional one-credit American University online course is available separately. It is completed outside the programme dates and requires an additional tuition payment.

    Team Advisors accompany smaller groups during activities and serve as Resident Advisors on student floors. An administrative team also lives on site.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • NSLC Online Enrollment Application
    • Explore Our Study Abroad Programs for International Students | National Student Leadership Conference
    • University of Michigan Summer Camp: Explore Career Paths
    • Top Georgetown Summer Programs: Unlock Your Potential
    • Youth Leadership Programs | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Summer Program Scholarships | National Student Leadership Conference
    • High School Summer Law Programs | National Student Leadership Conference

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 4 Aug 2026)

    • Programme format checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Session dates verified

    • Location prices compared

    • Accommodation details checked

    • Funding terms reviewed

    • Application process checked

    • Visa guidance reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.