Mike Farris:
Galen Thorp is a 2004 graduate of Patrick Henry College who will be attending Georgetown University's law school this fall. Galen, welcome to the program.
Galen Thorp:
Glad to be here, Dr. Farris.
Mike:
Galen, one of your major activities while you were a student at PHC was moot court. How did that get you ready for law school?
Galen:
It shaped my interest in law school a lot. It gave me a confidence in speaking in front of people, and it directed my interest toward litigation—so that's the track I expect to pursue in law school.
Mike:
Can you describe what a moot court competition is like?
Galen:
Moot court is sort of like mock trial for the appellate court level. Two-person teams compete before a panel of judges presenting their case but open to interruption at any time to elaborate the case. You have to know the case law and the facts of your case extremely well and apply them to hypothetical situations. And it just is a freethinking exercise that goes in a wide variety of directions. It's a very stretching experience.
Mike:
Well, Galen, I know that you did very well in moot court—not only did you win speaker's trophies, but you were first-place in the nation in brief writing one year. It's great to have had you as a member of the team, and good luck in law school. I'm Mike Farris.
