By Grace Yurish
Lawyers and judges across New Hampshire are invited to participate in the inaugural Civics Bootcamp training session at the Federal Courthouse on April 7. This program is designed to equip legal professionals with engaging and accessible civics lessons for local classrooms.
Led by Chief Judge Landya McCafferty of the US District Court for the District of New Hampshire and Judge Seth Aframe of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the session will provide participants with ready-to-use scenarios to inspire students and deepen their understanding of the justice system.
“We’re going to spend an hour and a half teaching lawyers how to walk into a school and be comfortable teaching kids,” says Chief Judge McCafferty. “We’re going to teach them how to quickly come up to speed so they’re comfortable going in with a couple scenarios that they will present to the students and have the students argue a case.”
The training will give participants lesson plans on key legal cases such as Tinker v. Des Moines and West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, as well as a criminal case scenario where students can take part in a mock sentencing hearing.
“We’re going to teach them how easy it is to go in and leave the students really pumped up about civics,” Chief Judge McCafferty says.
Judge Aframe emphasizes the program’s goal of making civics education accessible and impactful for all.
“The hard part is to figure out what to do when you get into a classroom, and by sharing this with lawyers, showing them how they can easily execute it, we think this will make it easier,” he says. “The goal is to get lawyers excited to do this and to show them some really easy, out-of-the-box stuff that works well.”
One of the primary exercises will focus on criminal sentencing, allowing students to argue both sides of a case and step into the role of a judge.
“Something Judge McCafferty and I think is important about good civics education is to give a hands-on opportunity to kids,” Judge Aframe explains. “The material we have is designed around that and has been really effective at easily getting kids to stand up and be lawyers and that excites them.”
The Civics Bootcamp is an excellent opportunity for attorneys who want to engage with younger generations. Whether through the NHBA’s long-standing A Lawyer and Judge in Every School initiative, Law Day on May 1, or year-round classroom visits, the program provides a solid foundation for outreach.
Jennifer Eber, chair of the NHBA’s Law Related Education Committee, highlights the value of these interactions.
“This program not only gives New Hampshire students the unique opportunity to engage with legal professionals, but it also allows lawyers and judges to share insights into our role and the legal system generally,” she says. “It’s one of the most rewarding and uplifting experiences. Step into a middle or high school, and I guarantee you’ll be asked about students’ rights, from a teacher’s authority to search a locker to a police officer’s right to search a student, car, or backpack.”
NHBA Law Related Education Coordinator Martha Madsen encourages lawyers to take advantage of this training.
“The NHBA’s Law Related Education program is delighted to support the amazing work of Judges McCafferty and Aframe when it comes to creating rigorous, student-centered, active learning experiences in civics education,” she says. “If lawyers are looking for something easy, engaging, and age-appropriate, Judges McCafferty and Aframe have set the gold standard. When it comes to teaching law and government, I am impressed by the commitment that lawyers in New Hampshire have. Attorneys understand just how critical this knowledge set is to our society.”
The Civics Bootcamp is free and open to all lawyers and judges. Participants can attend in person at the Warren B. Rudman United States Courthouse on Monday, April 7, from 4 to 5:30 pm, or remotely. A virtual link will be provided upon registration.
Judge Aframe reassures lawyers that no extensive preparation is needed to get involved and that anyone can do this.
“Don’t be afraid of the idea of getting in the classroom with kids,” he says. “It’s rewarding, and they are so interested in what you have to say and do. Any fears of ‘oh, I might not be good at this’ are just wrong. You will be good at it, and you’ll have fun doing it. You’ll find it rewarding, and they will find it rewarding. Everyone benefits from it, so it’s the ultimate win-win.”
Beyond the personal rewards for volunteers, these interactions have a lasting impact on students, fostering a deeper appreciation for civics and the legal system.
“It’s important for kids to feel connected to their government and the court system,” says Chief Judge McCafferty. “It exposes them to the legal profession and how the rule of law works in our country. One of the most important things is just connecting with those students and getting them excited about something. The idea is simply to excite them, connect with them, and teach them about civics.”
To register for the Civics Bootcamp, visit member.nhbar.org/calendar/register/Mjk3Nw== . Questions can be directed to NHBA Law Related Education Coordinator Martha Madsen at (603) 715-3259 or mmadsen@nhbar.org.