The Feinberg & Waller, APC, Mock Trial Leadership Award

The Feinberg & Waller, APC, High School Leadership award/mentor program amplifies teen voice and action by highlighting one student each year who has made an impact on their team and community.

The mock trial program is an academic competition in which students acquire knowledge of the American judicial system. Students have the opportunity to experience the drama of the courtroom as they learn the importance of civic participation in a democratic society through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights. The firm wishes to support students involved in the program who are leaders in their communities for they will be our future attorneys, judges, activists, and public figures.

The Los Angeles Teach Democracy, formerly known as Constitutional Rights Foundation, mock trial program is a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation.  
It is co-sponsored by:

• Daily Journal Corporation
• Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
• Los Angeles County Superior Court

Feinberg & Waller would like to award one recipient:

• Three (3) mentor sessions leading up to the LA County competition in November (either in person or through virtual communications).
• One (1) meeting with the recipient’s entire team before the LA County competition (either in person or through virtual communications).
• One (1) mentor session after the LA County competition for the recipient to ask any questions they may have, such as further advice on becoming a lawyer, what the field of law looks like, networking, establishing a resume, etc. (either in person or through virtual communications).
• If the team advances to the State competition, an additional meeting with the entire team will be offered if they so choose.
• $500 for expenses related to the competition (i.e., printed materials, courtroom attire, travel, food).
• An offer to the recipient for a college letter of recommendation.
• Leadership Award title for college applications and future resumes.

2024 Applicant Criteria:

This Award preferences students who have:

• A love of the law
• Leadership both on the mock trial team and in their community
• An Attorney/Pre-Trial role on their team
• A validated high school grade point average of a minimum 2.8
• An affiliation with a registered Los Angeles County Mock Trial team and enrollment at the team’s school

This Award will preference students who are:

• Rising juniors in high school; and
• BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and/or Disabled students*; or
• Active allies to the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and/or Disabled community

Application Requirements:

•  1 personal statement of 500-1000 words (PDF format)

Applicant must describe why they became involved in mock trial, how they have acted as a leader on the team, what that entailed, and what they want to do in the future. While students with a love of the law are preferred, it is not required for the answer to be “lawyer”. Applicant will also describe how they have displayed leadership in the community with a description of any volunteer work or service activities, any school groups, or extracurriculars. In addition, if applicant is applying as an active ally of any of the communities described above, applicant must detail the work he/she has done to become to be an active ally.

• Resume (PDF format)
  • Mock Trial Coach or Advisor’s name and email must be listed as a reference
• 2 Recommendations (PDF format) 
  • From Mock Trial Coach or Advisor 
  • From an Educator or Mentor

Application deadline is October 7, 2024. 

Please submit all application materials or questions to Courtney Stensvold through email:

• cstensvold@feinbergwaller.com 

 Subject line for the submission should be:

(First and Last Name), (High School), “Leadership Award”

Meet the 2024 Award Recipient: Bani Kumar

Feinberg & Waller, APC, is pleased to announce Bani Kumar as the recipient of the 2024 Mock Trial Leadership Award. 

A standout student at Chaminade College Preparatory High School, Bani has exemplified exceptional leadership and commitment to her community. A defining aspect of Bani’s high school experience is her significant involvement in the Mock Trial team, where she has served in multiple capacities including Vice President, and most notably, as the Captain since August 2024. 

Her roles as Defendant and Expert Witness have not only honed her legal acumen but also cemented her leadership and advocacy skills. Bani’s contributions were recognized with several awards, including the Mock Trial MVP in November 2023 and various certificates in speech and debate categories, demonstrating her prowess in public speaking and legal argumentation.

Beyond her school activities, Bani has shown a profound commitment to community service. She has been an active volunteer with Global Leadership Adventures in Costa Rica, where she participated in environmental conservation efforts and cultural immersion. Locally, she has contributed nearly 100 hours to Sanskriti, a non-profit organization in Simi Valley dedicated to promoting Indian culture and community service.

Bani also extends her leadership skills through roles such as the Head of Communications for the Speech and Debate team and the Director of Social Media for the Concert Choir, effectively using digital platforms to amplify her programs’ reach and impact.

Bani’s experiences have solidified her desire to pursue a career in law, specifically advocating for minors in legal proceedings, a passion ignited by her personal experiences and reinforced through her active engagement in mock trials and leadership roles. Her goal to become a child advocate attorney is driven by her understanding of the profound impact legal proceedings can have on young lives.

"We are inspired by Bani’s leadership and are confident in her potential to impact the legal field profoundly," says Marshall Waller. "She embodies the qualities we aim to foster through this award—leadership, community engagement, and a deep commitment to social justice."

Feinberg & Waller looks forward to mentoring Bani as she continues to develop her advocacy skills and prepares for a promising future in law. Her diverse experiences and academic achievements make her a role model and a beacon of inspiration for her peers and the community.

For more information about the Feinberg & Waller Mock Trial Leadership Award and our community outreach initiatives, please visit our Community Outreach page.

*Feinberg & Waller is constantly growing, self-educating, and learning when it comes to the nuances used to describe one’s race, ethnicity, or identity. For example, while we have chosen to use the term BIPOC, we understand this may not be your personal preference of language. When using that term, we use it to encompass the many varied and distinct Black, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latino/Latinx, and Asian identities. If you feel misrepresented or underrepresented, please reach out with any concerns so we can reflect on our speech in the future.