General admission
17 May 2026
Latest verified program-wide admission deadline.
In-person Program
Trial Law High School Course
A hands-on pre-college law course where students build a case, question witnesses, make courtroom arguments and learn from experienced legal professionals.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
In-person Program
Trial Law High School Course
A hands-on pre-college law course where students build a case, question witnesses, make courtroom arguments and learn from experienced legal professionals.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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We review public program details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.
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Last verified is the latest date Succeed checked the public details shown on this page. Program dates, prices and availability can still change.
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Trial Law Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Closed
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA
Age range / Year group
14-18 / Grades 9-12
Location / Region
Four US campus cities
Cost
$2,498-$5,998
Duration
1-2 weeks
Format
In-person
Latest deadline
17 May 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Get next-cycle reminderLaw & justicePublic Speaking
Accommodation: Residential or commuter
Meals: All meals or commuter lunch
Outcome: Certificate and recommendation letter
Class schedule: Weekday morning classes
Faculty: Attorneys, judges and legal scholars
Trial Law Course summary
Students work through a challenging legal case, taking courtroom roles and practicing evidence analysis, persuasive argument and witness examination.
The course combines experiential classes with legal professionals and campus-specific visits to courts, law schools or law firms.
It suits students who want to test a possible legal career through practical advocacy rather than lecture-only study.
What is Trial Law High School Course?
The Trial Law High School Course is an experiential pre-college program from Summer Springboard. Students work through a challenging case while learning the courtroom techniques used by trial attorneys.
Participants analyze evidence, build arguments, prepare witnesses and take roles including defense attorney, prosecutor, juror and judge. Legal professionals and subject-specific excursions connect the simulated case to legal education, courtroom practice and career pathways.
Why Succeed highlights Trial Law Course
The case-based structure gives students repeated practice in evidence analysis, advocacy and witness examination.
Students experience several courtroom roles rather than seeing trial law only from an attorney's perspective.
Legal practitioners and scholars connect classroom exercises with real professional experience.
Court, law school and legal-institution visits make the justice system more concrete.
The course combines subject exploration with college-readiness and career reflection.
Who is Trial Law Course for?
Best for
Students curious about law who want to test courtroom advocacy, public speaking and evidence analysis through a practical case.
Not ideal if
You want formal college credit, a purely academic legal-theory course or a program without role-play and presentations.
Is Trial Law Course worth it?
The course can be worthwhile for a student seriously considering law because it makes courtroom work tangible. Building and arguing a case provides stronger insight into legal practice than passive career observation alone.
The main limitation is value for money: tuition is substantial, and participation does not award college credit. Families should judge the experience by its teaching, professional exposure and residential or commuter fit rather than the campus name.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$2,498-$5,998; includes Academic course and excursions, Residential lodging and all meals, Residential weekend excursions, Commuter lunch and weekday programming, College-readiness workshops, Completion certificate, Professor recommendation letter.
Accommodation
Residential or commuter
Meals
All meals or commuter lunch
Provider details
Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
1-2 weeks; Four US campus cities.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Trial Law Course need?
Effort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Begin planning six to eight weeks before the application deadline to compare campuses, gather forms and prepare short answers.
Main challenge
Turning evidence into a clear argument under questioning.
Typical preparation
Review the campus and session options with a parent or guardian.
Practice summarizing both sides of a disputed issue.
Prepare to speak from notes rather than reading a full script.
Gather academic, health and travel documents early.
Useful if
You enjoy debate, teamwork, public speaking or analytical reading.
What do students do on Trial Law Course?
Students progress through a challenging case from evidence review to courtroom advocacy. Professional conversations and excursions provide context for the simulated legal work.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Receive a case and learn the underlying legal concepts.
- 2
Research the evidence and identify arguments for each side.
- 3
Take roles such as attorney, witness, juror or judge.
- 4
Select a jury and prepare opening statements.
- 5
Prepare witnesses and practice direct or cross-examination.
- 6
Present arguments and explain evidence.
- 7
Deliver closing statements and complete a mock-trial experience.
- 8
Meet legal professionals and explore legal careers.
Trial Law Course dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Yale Session 1
14-20 June 2026
One-week course in New Haven.
Berkeley Session 1
14-26 June 2026
Two-week course in Berkeley.
Georgetown Session 1
21 June-3 July 2026
Two-week course in Washington, D.C.
Berkeley Session 3
28 June-10 July 2026
Two-week course in Berkeley.
UCSD Session 1
28 June-10 July 2026
Two-week course in San Diego.
Yale Session 4
5-11 July 2026
One-week course in New Haven.
Berkeley Session 5
12-24 July 2026
Two-week course in Berkeley.
UCSD Session 2
12-24 July 2026
Two-week course in San Diego.
UCSD Session 3
26 July-7 August 2026
Two-week course in San Diego.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General admission | 17 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Yale Session 1 | 14-20 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Berkeley Session 1 | 14-26 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Georgetown Session 1 | 21 June-3 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Berkeley Session 3 | 28 June-10 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
UCSD Session 1 | 28 June-10 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Yale Session 4 | 5-11 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Berkeley Session 5 | 12-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
UCSD Session 2 | 12-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
UCSD Session 3 | 26 July-7 August 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Open to students in Grades 9-12.
A 3.0 GPA or local equivalent is required.
Students entering high school in fall may apply.
Recent spring high school graduates may also apply.
International students must demonstrate English proficiency.
Applicants must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria.
How much does Trial Law Course cost?
Program tuition
$2,498-$5,998 — Published commuter and residential tuition range.
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: From $99 — Mandatory and non-refundable.
- Program deposit: $600 — Paid during application to reserve a place.
- Protection plan: $699 — Optional cancellation protection for campus programs.
What's included
Academic course and excursions, Residential lodging and all meals, Residential weekend excursions, Commuter lunch and weekday programming, College-readiness workshops, Completion certificate, Professor recommendation letter
How to apply to Trial Law Course
- 1
Create an account in the official application portal.
- 2
Verify your email and complete the account details.
- 3
Select the campus, session, Trial Law course and tuition type.
- 4
Enter the student's contact information with the student present.
- 5
Complete the short-answer questions and required agreements.
- 6
Pay the $600 deposit and applicable application fee.
- 7
Submit the completed application for an enrollment decision.
- 8
Complete any additional forms released after acceptance.
What does Trial Law Course cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Case and evidence analysis
Research a challenging case and decide how evidence supports each side.
Courtroom advocacy
Develop opening statements, legal arguments and persuasive closing statements.
Witness examination
Prepare witnesses and practice direct questioning and cross-examination.
Legal foundations
Explore constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, torts and legal writing.
Legal careers
Compare legal roles and learn about law school and admissions.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Trial Law Course?
A typical day during the program.
Academic course
Trial Law classes run from 9:00 a.m. to noon or 1:00 p.m.
Excursion or activity
Students attend a course excursion, guest speaker, workshop or recreational activity.
Residential activities
Dinner is followed by clubs, social activities and a nightly dorm check.
Who teaches on Trial Law Course?
Teaching is led by experienced legal professionals, including practicing attorneys, prosecutors, judges and legal lecturers. Published instructors bring experience from criminal, civil, family, immigration and administrative law, alongside university-level teaching.
Instructor assignments differ by campus and session.
Where do students stay on Trial Law Course?
Residential plan
- University dorms: Students share campus accommodation with roommates and receive basic linens.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, generally in campus dining halls.
- Residential support: Program staff live in the residences and provide 24-hour emergency support.
- Campus security: Residence access controls, patrols and nightly room checks support student safety.
Non-residential plan
- Commuter day: Commuters receive lunch and weekday programming, generally from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room layouts vary by campus; students may share dorm rooms, bathrooms or suites.
What happens after Trial Law Course?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Use the experience to test interest in legal study and careers.
Build practical evidence-analysis and advocacy skills.
Reflect on potential roles across the legal profession.
Receive a completion certificate after finishing the program.
Receive a professor's recommendation letter after completion.
The course does not award college credit.
Where does Trial Law Course take place?
The course has published campus options in Washington, D.C., San Diego, New Haven and Berkeley. Campus-specific legal excursions may include courthouses, law schools, law firms and other professional institutions in the surrounding city.
Summer Springboard generally operates independently of its university campus hosts.
Trial Law Course FAQs
You will work through a challenging case by researching evidence, building arguments, preparing witnesses and taking a courtroom role. The experience leads toward courtroom advocacy or a mock trial.
Published course content includes US constitutional law, legal writing, contracts, criminal law, torts and courtroom procedure.
Families can choose residential or commuter tuition. Residential tuition includes dorm accommodation and all meals, while commuter tuition includes lunch and weekday programming.
The high school program is for students in Grades 9-12 with a 3.0 GPA or local equivalent. Students entering high school in the fall and recent spring graduates may also be eligible.
No. Students receive a completion certificate and a professor's recommendation letter after completing the program.
Published instructors include practicing attorneys, prosecutors, judges and legal lecturers. Instructor assignments vary by campus and session.
Residential tuition includes all meals, while commuter tuition includes lunch. Dining halls can accommodate several dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal and food allergies.
Summer Springboard generally operates independently of its campus hosts. The universities and their departments do not control or endorse most Summer Springboard programs.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent 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.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- (1) New Messages!
- (1) New Messages!
- Main FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Announcements | Promotions | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Summer Springboard in Berkeley - Summer Program for High School Students
- Yale Summer Program for High School Students - Summer Springboard
- Summer Springboard @ UC San Diego - Summer Program for High School Students
- (1) New Messages!
- Trial Law | Berkeley | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Summer Trial Law Program for High School Students at Yale
- Trial Law | UC San Diego | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Summer Trial Law Program for High School Students at Georgetown
- Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Tuition Protection Plan T&C
- 2026 HS 1-week Trial Law V2
- Trial Law | Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)
Course content reviewed
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Tuition compared
Session dates checked
Application process reviewed
Housing details checked
Refund terms reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
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