Become Tomorrow’s Attorney Today - Teen Law College

June 13-26, 2010

Do you always argue the rules with your parents?  Do you like debate, or the challenge of figuring out puzzles, or are you interested in becoming a lawyer?  If your answer is yes, then Teen Law College is the perfect place for you this summer.

Teen Law College is a two-week residential program sponsored by Valparaiso University School of Law for high school students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior years.  The camp will plunge you into discussions of topics that American lawyers must master to be successful.  It will test your ability to think critically, and help you to prepare arguments.

Over the two weeks, you will prepare for a criminal trial, and learn the background in criminal law necessary to understand the issues.  On your final day, you and your team of other Teen Law College students will present the trial to a panel of judges.

Taught by Valparaiso University law faculty and practicing area attorneys, the program will also introduce you to the different categories of legal work, help you to research cases, think critically about the logic of legal issues, and write summaries of your findings to demonstrate that you’ve understood the subject matter.

Our law school staff and law student resident assistants will take you to visit courts in Chicago and Indiana, meet with attorneys, judges, and prospective law school students.  In the evenings, you’ll be involved in regular “Jeopardy” events to show off your understanding of legal issues.

Weekend Trips

Of course, it’s not all work.  We’ve got the beauty of rural Indiana and the excitement of Chicago right at our doorstep.  One weekend, we’ll take you to the Indiana Dunes, rated as one of the most ecologically diverse wildlife areas in the United States.  There you will talk to ecology experts who are trying to preserve this amazing ecosystem on the shores of Lake Michigan.  And, of course, you will get to picnic and swim in the lake. 

In a switch from the serene to the sophisticated, you’ll spend another Saturday in Chicago, dine at an internationally famous restaurant, and attend a theatrical performance.  This is the type of experience that will enhance your application to college, and also give you skills to succeed when you get there.  Whether a career in law (and there are many careers for which a law degree is excellent preparation) is right for you, this camp is a unique experience that will sharpen your abilities and open your mind to new concepts.