Empire Mock Trial Announces 20th Season
Open letter from nonprofit founder kicks off Empire 20
February 3, 2026
Dear Students & Empire Family:
It was June 15, 2007.
There was no Instagram or Tik Tok.
Facebook was in its infancy.
No one had an iPhone in their pocket because it had not yet been released.
And fall high school mock trial tournaments were not a thing. Students competed in their local mock trials and one school per year would qualify for the national competition. And international students weren’t really competing in American mock trial either.
As I think back, so much about that world was different–how we communicated with one another, consumed the news, and spent our free time. But what connects your story to those that came before you was a deep passion for this crazy activity called mock trial.
Ever try to tell your family that you sacrifice most much of your free time–even over the summer–to dress up like a lawyer and argue about a person that is made up about a legal dispute that is also made up? Or ever try explaining that you’ve taken up acting as a hobby, except your stage is a courtroom, the audience is a judge, and you’re referred to as a witness?
You might be nodding along right now, but that’s just because you’re a mocker. And mockers are the only ones who truly get it, am I right?
For 20 seasons, I’ve watched a shared bond over this activity bring together young people from different backgrounds and continents. I’ve watched it mobilize thousands of volunteers from the legal community. And I’ve watched it bridge generations of people who, despite growing up in very different times, have chosen to commit themselves to this awesome hobby.
20 seasons ago, I started Empire because I love(d) mock trial. But I’ve stuck around for as long as I have because of you: the community, the people, the Empire Family. Your passion, energy, talents, heart, and spirit of volunteerism fills me with optimism. When current events get me down, I look to the Empire Mock Trial Family. You are a shining light in this world.
That is why, over the next 18 months, we plan to honor the people who have made Empire possible. We would be nothing without them. Stay tuned over the next two weeks as we begin to announce our exciting programming for our 20th anniversary celebration, starting with this year’s competitions and extending to our birthday next May and June.
Whether you’re a current student who plans to compete this spring, or an alum that hopes to volunteer this fall, I want to see you at Empire 20.
I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait to get started.
Sincerely,
Justin Matarrese
Founder
Empire Mock Trial
ps: Check out our 20 Years of Empire history page, prepared by alum Stephanie Fast (Empire NY ‘11 & ‘12), and our Empire 20 Announcement video, prepared by our original video editor Danielle Waugh. They are two examples of tremendously kind members of the Empire Family who have brought Empirion to life for our students.
Media Contact
Emily Shapiro
emily@empiremocktrial.org
917-426-3682
