Submitted
Fourteen teams from Carmel, Fishers, Guerin Catholic, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville, and Westfield high schools recently wrapped up participation in the 2026 Hamilton County Bar Association’s (HCBA) Mock Trial Competition.
The mock trial program began in 2000 and is an opportunity for high school students to get hands-on experience in the preparation of a case for trial and presentation in courtrooms, with local attorneys and judicial officers serving as judges for the six weeks of competition.
The HCBA recognized HSE teacher Janet Chandler for her dedication to the mock trial program. Ms. Chandler has been the teacher coach for HSE since the program’s inception in 2000. She plans to retire at the end of the school year. Pictured with Ms. Chandler is Judge Stephenie Gookins, Judge Bill Hughes, Judge Andrew Bloch, and Judge David Najjar. (Photo provided)
The competition takes place each winter in January and February. Schools can enter as many teams of up to 10 students as they wish. The teams are provided the case to prepare as well as a local attorney who volunteers to act as an attorney advisor for each team.
The students’ preparation of the case includes writing opening and closing statements, developing direct and cross-examination questions, as well as memorizing witness statements for each witness role for both the plaintiff and defense sides of the case.
For the 2026 season, the students prepared the fictious civil case of Terry Smith v. Midville Community School Corporation.
Terry Smith, a Midville student, participated in the school’s nationally recognized mock trial team but had big dreams of a career on Broadway. Terry quit the mock trial team to accept the lead in the school musical with the hope it would lead to a Julliard scholarship. After quitting mock trial, Smith’s mock trial teammates bully and harass her so much that she is forced to withdraw from the musical and miss her chance at a scholarship. Smith sued the school and the mock trial coach for damages due to infliction of emotional distress.
Carmel’s team, “Probable Claws,” was victorious over Hamilton Southeastern’s team, “Meow Trial,” in the finals held Saturday, Feb. 14. Students were recognized for each witness and attorney role with First Place and Runner-up awards.
HSE team, “Meow Trial,” is the 2026 Mock Trial Runner-up. Teacher coach is Gaye Garrett and Attorney Advisor is Brad Banks. (Photo provided)
Judge Stephenie Gookins presented Carmel senior Mahitha Konjeti with the HCBA 2026 mock trial scholarship. (Photo provided)
Carmel senior, Mahitha Konjeti, was awarded the 2026 HCBA Mock Trial scholarship.
Many of the local teams will also compete in the Indiana State Bar Foundation competition in February and March in Indianapolis.
The HCBA competition took place at the Hamilton County Judicial Center and is coordinated by Judge Stephenie Gookins.
The individual award winners were:
Best “Terry Smith” witness
- First: Matthew Mayberry (CHS)
- Second: Kaavya Malu (HSE)
Best “Bays Sanchez” witness
- First: Nathan Kominsjy (HSE)
- Second: June Billingsley (FHS)
Best “Dr. Lynn Carter” witness
- First: Reagan Faulkner (GC)
- Second: Campbell Coolidge (CHS)
Best “Dean Syndey Green” witness
- First: Evelyn Foster (CHS)
- Second: Richard Renner (NHS)
Best “Pat Putnam” witness
- First: Aida Karim (CHS)
- Second: Holden Miles (FHS)
Best “Presley Fisher” witness
- First: Eleanor Purvis (CHS)
- Second: Noelle Quimby (NHS)
Best Plaintiffs attorney
- First (tie): Amber Liwanag (HSE) & Cameron Henderson (HSE)
Best Defense attorney
- First: Leila de Leon (CHS)
- Second: Krish Gajaria (CHS)