Nov. 5, 2025 – Betrayal. Broken trust. And birds that don't belong in a backyard.
The State Bar of Wisconsin's 2026
High School Mock Trial Tournament case brings students into the world of exotic animal ownership, personal injury law, and a murky line between activism and sabotage.
Wisconsin lawyers and judges are invited to help judge or coach the competition – no ostrich-wrangling experience required.
Mock Trial 2026: The Courtroom Just Got Wild
The case facts: Regan Kazoo and Montana Jake were once best friends. Their bond changed when Regan grew tired of MJ's business profiting from capturing wild animals.
After an alleged injury from one of MJ's escaped ostriches, Regan files a lawsuit against MJ. But did MJ's safety failures cause Regan's injuries – or is Regan faking it to shut down and free the ostriches for good?
William Wang, an attorney for the Whitefish Bay High School mock trial team, questions a witness during the 2025 State Finals round against Shorewood High School on March 9, 2025, in Madison.
Volunteers Needed – Especially for Appleton Regional Tournament
The program is seeking volunteers – attorneys and judges – to serve as regional coordinators and judges for competitions in February and March. No prior experience is required – just a passion for law and a willingness to support students.
This year, there is an urgent need for
coordinators of the statewide regional competitions that take place Feb. 7, 2025 – especially for the Appleton regional competition. Coordinators work behind the scenes to organize volunteers and manage tournament logistics, helping provide a smooth experience for all. To volunteer, visit the
Mock Trial volunteer page.
Other volunteer opportunities are for:
Statewide regional competitions on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Sessions run in the morning (9 a.m. to noon) and afternoon (1 to 5 p.m.). Volunteers are needed in these regions: Appleton, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Juneau, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha, and Wausau.
Semifinal competitions in Madison on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, 2026. Session times are Friday, March 7, from 5 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, March 8, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Generally, volunteers choose to be judges for either the morning or afternoon competitions, but you can choose to volunteer for both sessions.
All volunteer judges will receive a copy of the Mock Trial Handbook and case materials to review beforehand. You can preview the "Judge's Training Video" online at your convenience and you will be provided scoring instructions along with a brief training on the day of the tournament.
Help us make this year's tournament season a success – and inspire the next generation of legal professionals.
To volunteer, visit the
Mock Trial volunteer page, and fill out the form. If you have questions, please email
mocktrial@wisbar.org or call (608) 250-6083, or (800) 444-9404, ext. 6083.
Why Mock Trial Matters
Founded in 1983, the program helps students gain a deeper understanding of the legal system while developing leadership skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, public speaking, and working under pressure as part of a team. The program is a great pathway to the legal profession.
Last year, close to 100 teams competed in the High School Mock Trial regional tournament across Wisconsin. This year, the regional tournaments take place Feb. 7, 2026. The top two teams in each region – 20 teams – will go on to compete in the semifinal tournament March 6-7, with the top two teams competing in the state finals on March 8, 2026. The state finalist team will compete in the national tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, in May 2026.
Mock Trial: Funded by the Wisconsin Law Foundation
The Wisconsin High School Mock Trial Tournament is a State Bar of Wisconsin program funded by the
Wisconsin Law Foundation, the charitable arm of the State Bar that supports law-related education and public service programs statewide. Donations to the Wisconsin Law Foundation's Mock Trial Fund can be made online at
wisbar.org/wlfdonate.
