Step into the courtroom — without needing a bench warrant or subpoena! This two-week summer course gives high school students an immersive crash-course in real-world trial skills.
Instructor:
Course Description
Step into the courtroom — without needing a bench warrant or subpoena! This exclusive two-week summer experience in partnership with the UCLA School of Law gives high school students an immersive crash-course in real-world trial skills. Through lectures, hands-on practice, mock trials, and field trips to actual courtrooms, students will learn how to build persuasive opening statements, conduct direct and cross-examinations, handle objections and evidence, and deliver powerful closing arguments.
By the end of the program, students will not only understand how trials work — they’ll feel what it’s like to stand in the shoes of trial attorneys and witness, think on their feet under pressure, and speak persuasively in front of others. It’s ideal for curious teens interested in law, public speaking, justice, or just trying something new this summer.
Instructor Bio
John Henry is a graduate of Loyola Law School. After graduation, John began his prosecutorial career at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and later at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. Over his career, he tried approximately 80 jury trials to verdict, prosecuting cases involving sexual assault, child molestation, physical abuse, and homicide. In 2020, he was promoted to Chief Deputy District Attorney—becoming the first African American to serve on the executive management team of his office. Over the past 20-plus years, alongside longtime program director Susan Poehls, he helped elevate Loyola’s Byrne Trial Advocacy Team into one of the nation's top programs. He has guided teams to multiple regional and national championships and mentored countless students into confident criminal and civil trial attorneys. In 2025, John transitioned into a full-time faculty role at Loyola. As Director of Trial Advocacy Programs, he now oversees the Byrne Trial Advocacy Program and the Hobbs District Attorney Practicum.
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Course Syllabus
To view a sample syllabus, please contact your program specialist, or reach us at info@summerdiscovery.com or call +1 (516) 447-4907.
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Admissions Criteria
An interest in all things law is the key to success in this program! Additionally, your application criteria includes a completed Summer Discovery application.
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Who Should Attend This Course?
Aspiring lawyers, this is a start to your successful academic and professional career. This course will introduce you to fundamentals that will advance your understanding of this field and help you determine whether a professional track in law is right for you.
Benefits of Attending this Course
In addition to a university-level course experience, students will leave this course with portfolio-building documentation in recognition of their summer achievements, including:
Summer Discovery Certificate of Completion
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive