The Kentucky High School Mock Trial Association, Inc. (KHSMTA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose organizational mission is to encourage high school students throughout the Commonwealth to participate in an exciting competition called “Mock Trial”.
For more than 20 years the Kentucky High School Mock Trial tournament was administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). However, around 10 years ago AOC cancelled funding for the program. Luckily, the Eastern Kentucky University mock trial program agreed to temporarily assist in order to keep high school mock trial alive. In 2017, a group of lawyers, coaches and teachers formed the Kentucky High School Mock Trial Association, Inc. (KHSMTA) a 501(c)(3) to assume the administration of the Kentucky High School Mock Trial tournament. In just a few years, it has been a tremendous success. KHSMTA doubled the number of high schools teams participating and continues to recruit new schools. The most recent development is the expansion of competition to include three regional tournaments followed by a “sweet 16” state championship tournament.
“Mock Trial gave me confidence, taught me teamwork, and helped me appreciate the beauty of our judicial system. ”
Our Mission
Our mission is to increase awareness of the law and justice system in high school students, by encouraging schools to form more mock trial teams and participate in the regional and statewide competitions. We hope to foster a positive learning environment, cultivate young minds, and instill a love for competition and fair justice.
Benefits of Mock Trial
Develops public speaking skills
Creates leaders in the courtroom, school, and community
Teaches students the legal system
Promotes a positive environment of advocacy
Prepares students to think on their feet
Meet the Board!
CONNIE m. KREMER, PRESIDENT
Connie is an attorney, a former state championship mock trial coach, and a former state champion competitor.
WILLiam C. MATTINGLY, VICE PRESIDENT
Will is an attorney and college lecturer. He is a former high school mock trial coach and competitor. He is the author of the Kentucky competition cases.
LOGAN MURPHY, SECRETARY
Logan is a high school mock trial coach. He competed in college mock trial for the University of Kentucky. As a high school competitor he won multiple state championships
ERIN GLASER, TREASURER
Erin holds a juris doctorate and is high school instructor. She is the head coach of a high school team, is a former competitor, and also judges mock trial competitions.
RYAN ALLISON, BOARD MEMBER
Ryan is an attorney and has coached teams to multiple state championships. His team won the National High School Mock Trial Championship in 2022.
ERIN IZZO, BOARD MEMBER
Erin is an attorney who has been involved with mock trial at all levels both as a competitor and judge. She has consistently presided as a competition judge at the high school, college, and law school levels for the past 20 years.
SHAMIR PATEL, BOARD MEMBER
Shamir is the head coach of the Bellarmine University Mock Trial team and is a former college competitor.