Leadership Fellows Build Law-Related Curriculum for Vocational School Students

As Leadership Fellows we spent this past semester building something new at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools (UCVTS) campus in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Each week, we made the trip to UCVTS to teach, coach, and collaborate with high school students in the Academy for Criminal Justice, a program within this public career and technical district that serves students from every municipality in Union County.

UCVTS is unlike a traditional high school. It’s a network of specialized academies preparing students for professional careers through focused, hands-on learning. The Academy for Criminal Justice gives students an early foundation in law, public safety, immersive coursework and mentorship. The Academy lacked a mock trial team; thus, we endeavored to fill that gap and launch one, bringing the courtroom directly into the classroom.

From the first week, we led comprehensive lessons on the rules of evidence, trial procedure, and the structure of civil and criminal cases. We guided students through two full Street Law mock trials, translating complex legal ideas into accessible, interactive experiences. The sessions also explored practical paths to law school, strategies for earning scholarships, and insights into the realities of the legal profession.

What began as an immersive, experiential program quickly grew into a dynamic and impactful part of the UCVTS curriculum. The students developed confidence, professionalism, and curiosity about the law that extended beyond the classroom.

As a culmination of the semester’s work, the Academy for Criminal Justice juniors will present their final mock trial before a Union County judge. In a challenge designed to test flexibility and depth of knowledge, students will take on new roles—from attorney to juror or witness—with only a few days to prepare. This capstone trial will assess not only their mastery of content but their ability to think critically and perform under pressure, simulating the intensity of a real courtroom.

None of this would have been possible without Mrs. Dina Violente, the Academy’s lead instructor, who opened her classroom and enthusiastically partnered with the fellows. Her mentorship ensured each session was organized and purposeful—whether Mary Grace was guiding students through scholarship strategies or Nick was demonstrating persuasive closing arguments. Together, the trio modeled collaboration, leadership, and educational excellence.

Through steady weekly work, creativity, and shared purpose, we transformed an exciting idea into a thriving program. This initiative now stands as a model for how law students and educators can collaborate to ignite a passion for justice and legal learning among the next generation of lawyer-leaders.