Episode 7: SC Bar Mock Trial With Cynthia Cothran, Megan Gresham, Alex Mende and Carolina Williamson

In this episode of the Direct Examination Podcast, co-hosts Joseph Bias and Dane Phillips are joined in a packed studio by Cynthia Cothran, Director of the Law-Related Education Division at the South Carolina Bar, alongside mock trial alumni Megan Gresham (SC Legal Services), Alex Mende (USC Law 3L), and Carolina Williamson (USC Freshman). With co-host Amber Fulmer on maternity leave, the group celebrates birthdays with a cookie cake, reacts to early Bar exam results, and explores the transformative impact of the South Carolina Bar Mock Trial program. The panel discusses the growth of middle and high school competitions, the rules of evidence, building courtroom confidence, and how mock trial inspires young people from all backgrounds to pursue legal careers.

Key Topics Covered

  • South Carolina Bar Mock Trial Program: How Cynthia Cothran expanded the state program over 17 years from 3 middle school teams to over 44 competing teams and 1,000+ participating students annually.

  • Middle & High School Competition Logistics: Regional and state competition dates (Middle School in November, High School in February across Lexington, Greenville, Georgetown, and Conway) and the vital need for volunteer attorney judges and coaches.

  • Personal Transformations & Confidence: Firsthand accounts of how mock trial helps shy students find their voice, master public speaking, and gain a foundational understanding of evidence rules.

  • Alumni Journeys to the Legal Profession:

    • Megan Gresham: How 7th-grade mock trial at Dutch Fork High shifted her career goal from trauma surgeon to family law attorney representing survivors of domestic violence at SC Legal Services.

    • Alex Mende: How joining mock trial at Myrtle Beach High School sparked his passion for criminal defense and led to competing for USC Law’s mock trial team.

    • Carolina Williamson: Overcoming shyness at Richland Northeast High School to win team MVP and earn a spot on USC’s collegiate mock trial team as a freshman.

Transcript

Joseph Bias: Welcome y’all to the Direct Examination Podcast! My name is Joseph Bias.

Dane Phillips: I’m Dane Phillips.

Joseph Bias: Dane, how are you? Good to see you!

Dane Phillips: I’m doing great! We’re here in a packed conference room today.

Joseph Bias: Yes! If you’ve seen the show notes, we have a full room today with a lot of illustrious guests. Speaking of the Bar, today we found out that the South Carolina Bar results are coming out early this Friday!

Dane Phillips: We would have already filed a grievance! How dare they get their results early?! (laughs)

Joseph Bias: In all seriousness, if you just got your Bar results back, congratulations! If you didn’t get the results you wanted, it’s going to be okay. We believe in you, there’s always February, and you’ve got this.

Dane Phillips: Big shout-out to all those who passed, and if you didn’t, give us a call!

Joseph Bias: That’s right! Now, Amber is not here today as she approaches her due date, but Dane recently celebrated a birthday, and our producer Brandy has a birthday tomorrow, so I brought in a birthday cookie cake!

Brandy (Producer): Apparently, I’m more than halfway to my death since I’m older than Dane! (laughs)

Dane Phillips: The General Counsel role just fits you, Joseph. Bringing in cookie cakes for everyone!

Joseph Bias: I’m a man of the people now! All right, let’s get to our guests. Today, we’re discussing the South Carolina Bar Mock Trial Program. We are thrilled to welcome Cynthia Cothran, Director of the Law-Related Education Division at the South Carolina Bar for the past 17 years. Joining her are mock trial alumni Megan Gresham, an attorney with South Carolina Legal Services; Alex Mende, a 3L at USC School of Law; and Carolina Williamson, a freshman journalism major at USC and former Richland Northeast High School mock trial competitor. Welcome, everyone!

Guests: Thanks for having us!

Joseph Bias: Cynthia, let’s start with you. Tell us how you got involved with the SC Bar Mock Trial program and how it has grown over your 17 years.

Cynthia Cothran: When I started 17 years ago, I didn’t know anything about mock trial! I started learning from some of the best attorney coaches in the state. When I began, we had three middle schools competing. Today, we have 44 middle school teams registered statewide, alongside a massive high school competition. Over 1,000 students participate each year across the state. It is immensely rewarding to watch these students find their confidence, learn the rules of evidence, and grow into real attorneys.

Dane Phillips: What are the upcoming competition dates and locations for attorneys who want to volunteer as judges or coaches?

Cynthia Cothran: We are always looking for volunteers! Middle school regionals are November 9th, and high school regionals are February 22nd. We hold competitions in Lexington, Greenville, Georgetown, and Conway. Attorneys can reach out directly to the Bar to sign up as judges or to be paired as coaches with local schools.

Joseph Bias: Megan, you started mock trial in 7th grade at Dutch Fork. How did that shape your career path?

Megan Gresham: It completely changed my life. In middle school, I wanted to be an ER trauma surgeon until I took 10th-grade biology! (laughs) Mock trial gave me a place where I felt comfortable arguing, speaking publicly, and understanding courtroom procedure. That foundation carried me through Furman, USC Law, and into my career today at SC Legal Services representing survivors of domestic violence in family court.

Dane Phillips: What’s the biggest difference between mock trial in school and real-life practice?

Megan Gresham: In mock trial, you have a set packet of facts where everyone knows everything. In real life, 90% of the work happens before you ever step foot in a courtroom—discovery, motions, and negotiations. But the courtroom confidence you gain from mock trial is priceless.

Joseph Bias: Alex, you joined mock trial as a sophomore at Myrtle Beach High School. What stands out from your experience?

Alex Mende: I remember my very first trial against our rivals, North Myrtle Beach. I was pounding away on cross-examination when co-counsel raised an objection. I completely froze! But learning to think on my feet in that moment gave me the confidence to know I could actually do this for a living. It helped me make the mock trial team at USC Law and prepared me for my career.

Joseph Bias: Carolina, you joined mock trial as a junior at Richland Northeast High School—a team I had the privilege of coaching! You started out shy, but by your senior year, you won team MVP and made the USC Mock Trial team as a freshman. How did that experience impact you?

Carolina Williamson: Coming into high school, I was very quiet and stayed out of my comfort zone. Mock trial forced me to speak up and stand my ground. It gave me so much confidence in public speaking, organizing arguments, and analyzing evidence. Seeing my dad sitting in the back of the courtroom during competitions, seeing how proud he was, made it one of the best experiences of my life.

Joseph Bias: It was an absolute honor coaching you, Carolina. To Cynthia, Megan, Alex, and Carolina—thank you all so much for joining us today and for everything you do for mock trial!

Cynthia Cothran: Thank you for having us!

Joseph Bias: If you want to volunteer as a mock trial judge or coach, please contact Cynthia Cothran at the South Carolina Bar. Competition dates are November 9th and February 22nd.

Lastly, our thoughts and prayers go out to former mock trial participant Richard Fish and his family on the recent passing of his wife, Marcy.

You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook @SCLawPod, follow Joseph at @JosephPBias, and Dane at @SCCrimLawyer. Leave us a five-star review and we’ll see y’all next week!