By Lisa Hanson, Executive Editor
The Iowa State Bar Association will host the 2026 National High School Mock Trial Championship in Des Moines, and The Iowa Lawyer is proud to publish a special series celebrating the diverse achievements of former mock trial participants. This series aims to highlight the broad spectrum of career paths that mock trial alumni have taken and emphasize how skills developed in mock trial have contributed to their professional and personal successes. Each month, this column will feature individuals who have ventured into the practice of law, the judiciary, and other professional fields outside of the legal profession. Discover how their mock trial journey led to where they are today.
Since its inception, the mock trial program has been instrumental in developing not only future lawyers but also leaders across different sectors. These alumni have taken the critical thinking, public speaking, and analytical skills developed through mock trial and applied them to excel in fields as varied as technology, medicine, journalism, and beyond.
This not only emphasizes the broad applicability of the skills gained through mock trial but hopefully serves as an inspiration to current participants by showing the far-reaching impacts of the hard work and dedication learned through mock trial.
We invite all our readers to join us in this celebration of talent and achievement. If you are a mock trial alum with a story to tell, or know someone who is, please reach out at communications@iowabar.org. We are excited to underscore how these courtroom experiences have translated into real-world success.
This month’s featured mock trial alumni are Conservation & Community Outreach Specialist Molly Hanson, Hon. David Nelmark, and Attorney Paul Esker.
Molly Hanson, Conservation & Community Outreach Specialist at RDG Planning & Design
When and where did you participate in mock trial? I participated in mock trial at Johnston Middle School from 2000-2001.
Why were you interested in mock trial? I was involved in both student government and ELP (the extended learning program). Several of my friends were getting into mock trial, so I thought I'd give it a try. One or two of them actually did go on to become lawyers. I did not.
How did mock trial influence you and your career path? Mock trial was a big learning experience for me. My coaches and I quickly realized that I was not trial lawyer material. I usually had a witness role instead and even got to be a 'boomerang expert' for a case. I did get some valuable public speaking experience, and it was fun to be part of a team. While some of my teammates did go on to pursue the legal profession, I got more interested in the political side of things and ended up volunteering for political campaigns.
Hon. David Nelmark, Polk County District Court Judge
When and where did you participate in mock trial? Urbandale Middle School (Coach Beverly Ellis), 1989-90; Urbandale High School (Coaches Julie Kaercher, Harvey Kimble, and Kristin Ensign), 1992-95; Drake University (Coach Brad Reich), 1996-97; Stanford Law School (Co-Founder, Co-Coach, and Participant), 2004-05.
Why were you interested in mock trial? My initial participation was mandatory as part of the school’s talented and gifted program. I was reluctant but fell in love after my first closing argument.
How did mock trial influence you and your career path? Mock Trial changed my life. Personally, it gave me the confidence to speak in public, try new things, and think on my feet. Professionally, it started me on the path to law school and, ultimately, the bench. There are no lawyers in my family, so the activity was my first exposure to the legal world. Once I got involved, I never stopped.
I competed until they would not let me anymore. I coached at all of my alma maters. I was John Wheeler’s intern and wrote a case used in the Iowa Middle School Mock Trial competition. My first job out of college was running high school leadership camps with a Mock Trial focus. I became involved in the American Mock Trial Association (which oversees college mock trial) and eventually served as AMTA’s President from 2012-14. I’ve been judging for so long that I am now critiquing the children of those I judged when they were in high school. Most recently, I co-authored Championship Mock Trial: The Guide for Students and Coaches.
There is no question that I was a better lawyer and am a better judge because of Mock Trial. I am forever grateful to all of the coaches and volunteer judges who make the activity possible, and I cherish the teammates, students, and fellow coaches who have turned into lifelong friends.
Paul Esker, Attorney at Bradley & Riley PC in Cedar Rapids
When and where did you participate in mock trial? I participated in mock trial at Regis Middle School with Jim Efting; then Robins Mock Trial in High School with Tim Semelroth and Emily Anderson; then at Luther College.
Why were you interested in mock trial? My parents made me go to Mr. Efting’s mock trial “camp” the summer before 6th grade—probably just to get me out of the house—and the rest is history. I think I stuck with it because Mr. Efting, Tim, and Emily always made it fun; plus, my friends did it too (Ame Mapes has been a great lawyer since at least 6th grade).
How did mock trial influence you and your career path? If not for mock trial, I highly doubt I’d be a lawyer. But more importantly, Mr. Efting, Tim, and Emily built my confidence, taught me how to think on my feet, and made me comfortable with public speaking. These skills have paid dividends in all aspects of my life.
