Melissa Brown was one of about 60 volunteers (mostly attorneys) and 10 judges who volunteered as evaluators for the Illinois State Bar Association’s (ISBA) 2024 Mock Trial Invitational. This was the 41^st time ISBA has hosted the annual event, which was held at the University of Illinois–Springfield on March 16 and March 17.

Teams from 50 high schools throughout that state tried both sides (plaintiff and defense) of a hypothetical case developed by a committee from ISBA. Students also assumed the roles of witnesses.

The top eight teams competed in the final round, and the state champions from Chicago’s College Preparatory School of America will represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Wilmington, Delaware, in early May.

Brown, a partner in the firm’s Springfield office, focuses her practice on environmental law. She is skilled in assisting clients with permitting, regulatory compliance, and litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. She has been named to Best Lawyers’ list of Ones to Watch.