Volunteer Opportunities
As the National High School Mock Trial Championship comes to Des Moines, Iowa’s legal community is essential to the integrity and success of the competition—especially through service as judges. Attorney judges ensure fairness, realism, and educational value in each round, providing students with an authentic courtroom experience. In addition to judging, volunteers are vital to the smooth operation of this national event, supporting teams, coaches, and guests from across the country. Whether you are lending your legal expertise in the courtroom or assisting behind the scenes, the opportunities below offer meaningful ways to support this premier educational program.
Judge the 2026 NHSMTC
The 2026 National High School Mock Trial Championship will take place in Des Moines, May 7–9, and volunteer judges are essential to its success. Judges help evaluate student performances, provide constructive feedback, and ensure the competition runs smoothly. Multiple rounds will be held over the course of the event, and you may select the times that work best for your schedule. Orientation and training materials will be provided in advance so you can step into the role with confidence. Judges will be asked to assess student performances as they take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses. Volunteer judges need to have graduated from law school in order to participate as a mock trial judge. To register as a judge and be part of this national event, please complete the official judge registration form through Tabroom.
If you do not already have a tabroom.com account, please go to tabroom.com and complete the required information, including an email address and cell phone number that you will have access during the competition. (You may need to identify your cell provider as well.) Please make a note to remember your password! It can be reset if needed.
You should receive an email from tabroom.com asking you to verify your email address. Make sure you verify it in order to receive updates through tabroom.com.
Once the account has been created, log in to the site (if you’ve been logged out). Next, in the search window on the top right, type the word “national” and the top selection should be National High School Mock Trial Championship in Iowa. Click on the blue link, select “volunteer sign up” and in volunteer category select “Judge panel members.” Answer a few brief questions – including the trial rounds you’re interested/available to judge and then make sure to click on the “register to judge button” at the bottom of the form.
By signing up now through Tabroom, we will be able to provide all volunteers with updates right up until the competition on May 8 and 9, 2026.
Please let us know if you encounter any difficulty with this sign-up process or if you have any questions or need additional information. Feel free to email us at NHSMTC@iowabar.org.
Volunteer Judge Descriptions
Presiding Judge
- The Presiding Judge is a legal professional who will preside over the case proceedings.
- The focus of the Presiding Judge is to welcome everyone and oversee all trial matters. A suggested script will be provided. They will also have an opportunity to provide feedback to the teams at the end of the round.
- The Presiding Judge will score student performance; however, that score will only be used in an emergency, should a Scoring Judge be unable to complete their ballot.
Qualifications
- Knowledge of and experience working in the legal field, specifically knowledge of courtroom procedure and objections
- Experience judging High School Mock Trial
- Willingness to invest time into learning the NHSMTC case materials
- Willingness to attend a judges’ orientation in advance of the event
- A desire to support and encourage students’ learning and development
- Sitting and retired judges who fulfill the qualifications listed above will be given preference
Scoring Judge
- Scoring Judges must be licensed attorneys or judges who will assess and score student and team performance.
- There will be three Scoring Judges per courtroom.
- In addition to scoring, Scoring Judges will have the opportunity to provide feedback to teams at the end of the round.
Qualifications
- Must be a licensed attorney
- Knowledge of and experience working in the legal field
- Willingness to invest time into learning the NHSMTC case materials
- Willingness to attend a judges’ orientation in advance of the event
- A desire to support and encourage students’ learning and development
Courtroom Liaison
- Individuals who are familiar with court procedure and courtroom layout who assist the presiding and scoring judges during a round.
- There will be one courtroom liaison per courtroom.
- The Courtroom Liaison helps escort the presiding and scoring judges to the appropriate courtroom, serves as a contact with the Nationals board in the event a board member is needed in the courtroom, ensures that all ballots are submitted at the end of the round, and collects any materials that need to be turned in from the round. The Courtroom Liaison may also be required to “open” the round and announce the presiding judge.
Qualifications
- Knowledge of how a courtroom functions
- Organizational skills
- Willingness to attend a courtroom liaison orientation in advance of the event
- A desire to support and encourage students’ learning and development
Event Volunteers
In addition to judging, a wide range of general volunteer roles help keep the championship running smoothly. From welcoming participants to providing on-site support and coordination, these opportunities are ideal for those who want to contribute time, energy, and organization to this large-scale national event.
Check-In/Registration
- Help staff transport materials and set up registration and merchandise areas
- Help teams, judges,, courtroom artists, courtroom journalists, and observers check-in and receive credentials, and materials
- Serve as a first point of contact for questions or issues during arrival
- Monday-Thursday
Helpful Skills
- Willingness to be a team player and take direction
- Organizational skills
- Able to sit/stand for long periods
- Basic understanding of technology
Wayfinding/Crowd Flow
- Help students, judges, and spectators get where they need to be on time and safely
- Direct foot traffic in hotels, courthouses, and event venues
- Assist with transitions between rounds, orientations, and events
- Thursday-Saturday
Helpful Skills
- Comfortable giving clear directions
- Able to stand/walk for extended periods of time
- Familiar with Des Moines venues
Tournament Desk
- Direct teams, judges, and spectators to assigned courtrooms
- Provide on-site support for courtrooms and serve as a communication link to the Championship Tabulation Room & Leads
- Assist teams & judges in reporting rule violations, questions, concerns, or issues during rounds
- Friday-Saturday
Helpful Skills
- Comfortable in courthouse/professional environments
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Calm and discreet with sensitive issues
- Detail-oriented
- Familiar with Mock Trial, Legal, or Courtroom settings
Event Set-Up/Tear Down
- Assist with setting up and breaking down event spaces, signage, materials and rooms
- Work under the direction of ISBA staff and event leads
- Thursday-Saturday
Helpful Skills
- Able to lift/move light to moderate items
- Reliable and punctual
- Works well on a team
- Early Morning/Late Night Availability
- Ability to provide own transportation a plus
On-Site Support
- Greeting guests and assisting with hosted events, receptions, meals and hospitality suites
- Help with light setting up, restocking, and cleaning up as needed
- Serve as a friendly, visible presence for judges, coaches, teams, and observers
- Thursday-Saturday
Helpful Skills
- Service-minded
- Comfortable hosting or greeting guests
- Willing to clean and restock throughout events
- Flexible and happy to jump in where needed