Meet Katherine (Kat) Miller

I decided to do mock trial at the University of Portland because I heard it was more “serious” than the debate club, and the person at the recruiting table in the fall of my freshman year was really cute. I also never really join things and then quit easily when there is a commitment, so I just kind of kept doing it. I also met a lot of friends my first year of mock trial which made me want to continue with it. 

 

 

I have to say I like being an attorney best. I like openings because they are memorized [introductions to the court], and closings because you get to think on your feet [to come up with a closing argument]. I think my favorite thing to actually do in mock trial is cross examination from any side either as a witness or as a crossing attorney. 

 

 

It has always been my goal to go to law school. Mock trial definitely helps with some of the skills that I know I will need in law school and as a lawyer. Such as public speaking, building cases and understanding how different legal elements connect to each other. These skills will assist me if I am in law school and if I choose to do anything else in life.

 

 

I have a lot of great team memories and personal achievements in mock trial. I remember getting to know some of my teammates really well at tournaments and staying up way later than I should have gossiping, and just having a lot of fun at team dinners. In terms of personal achievement there have been some really great competition moments against other teams where I have made a good objection or gotten out of impeachment [a witness being eliminated from the trial] that has felt really good. 

 

 

Basically when I started going to school at the University of Portland I joined a ton of activities and I never looked back and I recommend that to all!