Liability, Building Construction, Mitigation Measures Part of Mock Trial Starring “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” Participants at Colodny Fass Law Firm on April 28
May 2, 2011
Employees’ children participating in Colodny Fass’ “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” had the unique opportunity to learn about law firsthand by starring in a mock trial being staged as part of the day’s events by attorneys at the law firm’s downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida headquarters on April 28, 2011.
The mock trial script, which pit Plaintiff “Big Bad Wolf” against Defendant “Curly Pig,” borrows from the “Three Little Pigs” storyline, while alluding to defective building construction and what kind of mitigation measures were taken to prevent the Pigs’ house from being blown down by the Wolf. In an interesting twist of liability and self-defense to the beloved tale, the Wolf has accused Curly Pig of trying to “poach” him in a steaming kettle of boiling water.
Participating children, who ranged in age from five to 17, played the roles of the judge, jury, plaintiff, defendant, attorneys, witnesses, court deputy and bailiff. Props, costumes and an advance copy of the script were distributed to participants prior to the event, so they could have the opportunity to practice their dramatic lines.
Before commencing the “trial,” Colodny Fass attorneys educated the children on their roles and the rudimentary basics of a jury trial.
Colodny Fass Shareholder Maria Elena Abate, who used a script created by the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education to develop the event, said “In addition to providing great entertainment for all, this served to teach children about courtroom fundamentals in a hands-on manner.”