The 2026 High School Mock Trial Regional Tournament is underway, launching a statewide effort that will bring student advocates into courtrooms and conference centers across Iowa, and The Iowa State Bar Association is calling on its members to serve as volunteer judges.
Organized through The Iowa State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD), the High School Mock Trial program is one of the most impactful civic education initiatives in the state. Each year, hundreds of students prepare cases, develop legal arguments, and present before panels of volunteer attorneys and judges who evaluate their performance, professionalism, and understanding of the law.
The 2026 regional competitions begin in Des Moines and continue through late March, with events scheduled in nine communities statewide.
Why volunteer?
For many students, mock trial is their first meaningful exposure to the legal profession. Volunteer judges play a critical role; not only in scoring rounds, but in modeling professionalism, civility, and the practical realities of trial advocacy.
Attorneys who volunteer often note that the experience is both energizing and rewarding. In just a few hours, participants:
-
Support civic education and public understanding of the legal system
-
Mentor high school students interested in law and public service
-
Strengthen ties within Iowa’s legal community
-
Earn potential CLE credit (where applicable)
The commitment is manageable, and the impact is lasting. Even a single afternoon round makes a difference.
2026 Regional competition schedule
Volunteer judges are needed at each of the following locations:
-
Friday, March 6 – Mason City (NIACC – Muse-Norris Activity Center)
-
Monday, March 9 – Marshalltown (Marshalltown Community College – Education Wing)
-
Tuesday, March 10 – Sioux City (Convention Center)
-
Thursday, March 12 – Coralville (Hyatt Conference Center)
-
Friday, March 13 – Waterloo (Convention Center)
-
Wednesday, March 18 – Council Bluffs (Iowa Western Community College – Looft Hall)
-
Wednesday, March 25 – Davenport (St. Ambrose University – Rogalski Center)
Whether you practice litigation daily or have not stepped into a courtroom in years, your perspective is valuable. The program welcomes attorneys from all practice areas.
A statewide effort led by Iowa lawyers
The High School Mock Trial Tournament is made possible through the leadership of the ISBA Young Lawyers Division and dedicated volunteers who travel throughout the state to coordinate regional rounds. Their work reflects a broader commitment shared by Iowa attorneys: investing in the future of the profession and strengthening public trust in the rule of law.
Encouraging colleagues within your firm or local bar to participate can help ensure that every regional site has a strong and diverse panel of judges. The more perspectives students encounter, the richer the educational experience.
How to get involved
ISBA members can register through the volunteer sign-up link. Early registration is encouraged to help organizers finalize judging panels and ensure smooth competition days.
As regional rounds begin, Iowa lawyers have a meaningful opportunity to give back, not only to the bar but to the students who may one day join it. The courtroom is waiting.
Register to judge
Visit the Iowa Bar Blog for more news.
