High school students invited to apply for alumni-supported Summer Law & Trial Institute

High school students interested in exploring the legal field are invited to apply for the Summer Law & Trial Institute (SLTI), a free, alumni-supported program hosted by Ohio University’s Center for Law, Justice & Culture. The competitive two‑week institute will take place June 28–July 10, 2026, combining virtual instruction with an immersive, on‑campus residency. 

Thanks to the generosity of Ohio University alumni, program costs are fully covered, making SLTI an accessible opportunity for high‑achieving rising juniors and seniors. Preference is given to students from Appalachian Ohio, though students from outside the region are also encouraged to apply. 

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A two‑week immersive rural law and justice experience

The program begins with virtual sessions held June 28–July 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, during which students develop foundational skills in legal reasoning, case analysis, negotiation, public speaking, and trial advocacy. Participants will also prepare for upcoming field experiences and meet attorneys, judges, and legal scholars. 

On July 5, students will travel to Ohio University’s Athens campus for a week-long residential experience. Throughout the week, they will engage with Ohio University Mock Trial members, pre-law students, and alumni who serve as mentors and coaches. Students also visit with attorneys from regional legal institutions and statewide partner nonprofit organizations, providing them with a firsthand look at how the legal system operates in Southeast and Central Ohio. 

Program highlights include visiting NGOs such as Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio and the ACLU of Ohio, meeting with practicing attorneys and judges, and traveling to Columbus to observe a Supreme Court of Ohio oral argument, a chance the opportunity to meet with Justice Jennifer Brunner. 

Building skills, confidence, and pathways to legal careers

Now in its 11th year, SLTI has helped expand access to legal education and has cultivated a growing network of alumni pursuing careers in law, justice, and advocacy. The institute’s roots in Appalachian Ohio remain central, with many mentors, speakers, and coaches returning as proud Ohio University graduates.

Students participate in daily sessions that cover trial procedure, constitutional law, criminal justice, courtroom strategy, and legal ethics. Through hands-on practice, they prepare for the capstone mock trial—an opportunity many describe as transformative.

Ohio University alumna Ellen Whitehair, Esq., who completed SLTI in 2016 and is now practicing law in Cincinnati, said the institute shaped her trajectory as both a student and future attorney.

“I knew that being selected to participate in the Summer Law and Trial Institute was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity for me. I did not know that it would also lead me to my mentor, Larry Hayman, who guided me through college applications, student organizations, scholarships, leadership roles, mock trial, and study abroad opportunities,” Whitehair said. “SLTI showed me what kind of student leader and lawyer I could be.”

A culminating mock trial with legal professionals

The program concludes on July 10 with a full mock trial presided over by Judge Zachary Saunders, an Ohio University alumnus. Family members are invited to attend as students take on the roles of witnesses, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. In the days leading up to the trial, alumni, pre-law students, and mock trial team members help participants refine their cases, practice examinations, and build confidence in their advocacy skills. 

This culminating event continues the institute’s commitment to experiential learning, reinforcing the courtroom skills students have developed and giving them a genuine sense of what it means to be a legal professional.

A program founded to increase access to justice 

SLTI was founded in 2016 by Larry Hayman, Esq. Director of Legal Engagement and the Pre‑Law Program at Ohio University. A graduate of Ohio University and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Hayman created the program to increase legal literacy and inspire students, especially those from underserved Appalachian communities, to envision themselves as future advocates for justice.  The program seeks to increase the propensity that students will attend law school and return to their rural communities to practice law.

How to apply

Applications for the 2026 Summer Law & Trial Institute are accepted on a rolling basis, and students are strongly encouraged to apply early due to the program’s competitive nature. The final deadline to apply is May 25, 2026. 

Students, families, and educators can learn more and apply online here: Summer Law & Trial Institute.