More than 20 years of volunteering as a judge for the
Massachusetts Bar Association's Mock Trial Program was one long
dress rehearsal for Judge Mark D Mason, who was appointed to the
bench last year.
"My experiences with Mock Trial have really helped to
familiarize me with being a judge," said Mason, an MBA past
president whose tenure on the bench began in January 2009. "At the
time that I was sworn in, I had many civil and criminal mock trials
under my belt. This really helped me in my transition."
Mason, now sitting in Springfield District Court, was appointed
to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William W.
Teahan Jr. Previously, Mason was a principal in the litigation
department of Cooley Shrair PC in Springfield. He served as MBA
president during the 2006-07 association year and was the MBA's
first openly gay president.
Mason attributes his successful conversion from attorney to
judge to the realistic nature of the MBA's Mock Trial Program,
which is celebrating its 25th year with preliminary trials that
kicked off last month. Mock trials are based on real legal issues,
whether they be criminal or civil, and are argued by students who
Mason said often demonstrate capabilities reserved for seasoned
counsel. The trials take place in actual courtrooms overseen by
judges who wear robes and are expected to act the part.
"When I first became a Mock Trial judge, I became acutely aware
of the importance of developing your listening skills and focusing
your attention on what is being said in court. We oftentimes take
for granted the accuracy of listening," Mason said. "Sitting as a
Mock Trial judge, I quickly learned I needed to engage in
significantly more focused listening, often for more extensive
periods of time than I had to as an attorney."
Seeing high school students acting as attorneys in the courtroom
as well as individuals outside of the competition also struck a
chord with Mason. In particular, one year he had to present the
first runner-up award to the team at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts
Charter Public School in South Hadley. Unknown to Mason, the day of
the special assembly coincided with cross-dressing day.
"I'm standing on the stage and behind me, out of the corner of
my eye, I see a young man in a dress with a wig. Then, one after
another, the team came out in full drag," Mason said, chuckling at
the memory. "As bizarre as that story is, what is important to take
out of that is regardless of the appearance of counsel before
court, I understand and respect that we all have lives outside of
court."
All of those experiences as a Mock Trial judge, Mason said,
helped build his confidence when it was time for him to start his
new role as judge.
"The MBA strives for the highest standards in putting on a Mock
Trial," Mason said. "Mock Trials are intended to be accurate
replicas of real trials, and my experiences with the program have
helped acclimate me to my new position."