The Invitational

Over the past five years, the Empire Mock Trial Association (“EMTA”) has welcomed nearly 1,000 high school students to New York City for an international mock trial tournament.  EMTA’s Empire City Invitational (“Empire”) has featured schools from 4 continents, 6 countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, Korea, United Kingdom, U.S.) and 26 states.  The fifth annual Empire will be held on October 21-23, 2011 at the Kings County Supreme Courthouse in downtown Brooklyn.

The size of the invitational has expanded over its history, and this year the tournament will consist of 36 schools.  EMTA invites teams that placed in the top four of their state or country’s mock trial competition the year prior, ensuring that every Empire trial is educational and competitive.

Our event provides high school students with an educational experience like no other.  They learn:

• In-Court Techniques. Students analyze statutes and case law, study the federal rules of evidence, construct case theories and legal arguments, prepare direct and cross examinations, craft opening and closing statements, and creatively portray witnesses in trial.  After months of preparation, they take part in four trials against other highly accomplished teams.
• Citizenship. Values such as civility, sportsmanship and respect for their peers are emphasized through social events:  a pin exchange ceremony, cruise and dance.
• New Cultures.  By interacting with their peers from diverse backgrounds in the most diverse city in the world, students are exposed to new values and cultures.
• Life-Long Skills. Public speaking, extemporaneous arguing, critical thinking, logical reasoning, effective writing and the ability to work well in a team are skills that are transferable to a myriad of professions.