Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 9:05 AM To: Joni.jen@gmail.

com Subject: Ray Richardson's former Student

Ray Richardson asked that I drop you a line to give some details about my background in the Bay Shore High School Mock Trial Program, and I am more than happy to do so. I joined the Mock Trial Team as a tenth grader starting high school. Initially, under Mr. Richardsons direction, we developed skills in case analysis, problem solving and strategizing solutions. Then, it became a matter of public speaking, and thinking on our feet. We tried our mock cases before real judges in real courtrooms and received feedback from local attorneys and judges. For me, and I know for the other team members, this lead to developing self-confidence, poise, maturity, teamwork and career direction, in a way that no typical classroom situation or team sport could. I spent all three high school years as a member of the team, and during those years I grew as a student and as a person. I went on to major in Law and Society at the undergraduate level, where I served as a teaching assistant for two legal philosophy classes and as a teaching assistant for a trial techniques class. For both, I drew on my experience with Mr. Richardson and the Mock Trial Team. When I started law school, I was immediately comfortable with the legal concepts, and I became involved with moot court, which opened many doors for me as well. I always felt comfortable in interviewing and networking situations, and again, I credit much of this to the foundation I had as a result of my participation in high school Mock Trial. After graduation, I started work as a prosecutor in New York City. I served as a successful trial attorney in both the Career Criminal and Major Crimes Bureaus and later prosecuting complex white collar crimes. After seven years as a prosecutor, I joined a firm that represented doctors and other health care professionals in high- exposure lawsuits. While I had no medical background whatsoever, my representation was often personally requested by doctors, which I credited to my confident demeanor and ease in dealing with adversarial situations. Again, this was a foundation I developed in High School through the mock trial program. After three and a half years in private practice, I returned to criminal prosecution, when I was called on by the District Attorney of Nassau County to manage the prosecutions of drunk driving cases, and to supervise and train the newest attorneys joining the office. I now have the job of my dreams: I conduct training programs, and prepare young law graduates to be trial attorneys. I will never forget the experience I had in high school and the fact that it paved the way for all the opportunities I later encountered. I would be happy to speak to you further to discuss the Mock Trial Program or answer any questions you may have.

Laura E. Carroll
Deputy Bureau Chief District Court Bureau Office of the Nassau County District Attorney 516-572-2046 (phone) 516-572-2606 (fax)