Mock Trials for Law Students and Lawyers

A graduate of Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Judge Megan Goldish works at the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL. Judge Megan Goldish also had served as an adjunct instructor at Northwestern University's trial advocacy program. She also supports and promotes the use of mock trials. for students and lawyers.

Mock trials are practice trials that can be utilized in a classroom setting. They are typically performed at law schools, and offer the opportunity for students to learn the art of debate and putting forth arguments in court. Mock trials can also help students refine their abilities at critical thinking and public speaking. Trials are complicated even for experienced lawyers, and mock trials can prepare them for the hardships they may encounter in court.

Mock trials offer law students and experienced lawyers a chance to test and obtain feedback on a future oral presentation. This allows for development of new theories for a case and to observe a case from another point-of-view.

Adult Living Skills Program for the Blind

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Judge Megan Goldish serves on the domestic violence court of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Judge Megan Goldish also takes part in philanthropic activities and supports nonprofit organizations such as the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind

The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind is a social service organization that aims to improve and provide vision care to the blind and visually impaired. The organization created the adult living skills program, which aims to increase the independence and self-sufficiency of people who are blind or visually impaired and cannot perform the usual tasks of everyday life. It is a program meant to prepare people to live by themselves and return to society. It involves an on-site apartment in which patients can do activities such as dishwashing, sweeping, cleaning, and cooking. Patients can also recycle and develop working skills in the program.

The program also teaches functional and basic academics such as everyday math and how to deal with and manage money. Patients are taught the Braille language and can learn how to read and write using it.

The North Suburban Bar Association

Judge Megan Goldish, has been licensed to practice law for approximately 24years in Cook County, with seven of those as a domestic violence court judge. During her tenure, she has mentored other judges and was the supervising attorney of the WINGS program. In addition to membership in numerous law and community organizations, Judge Megan Goldish served as an adjunct instructor at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Chicago-Kent College of Law. She is also the immediate past president of the North Suburban Bar Association (NSBA).

Comprised of judges, attorneys, and legal professionals, NSBA strives to support the legal community in Chicago and the city's northern suburbs. The support comes in personal and career development, legal advice, professional networking, advocacy, and promoting excellence. NSBA holds monthly events to foster professional and legal development, fundraising, and community outreach throughout the year. The events include the installation dinner, Gary Wild dinner, judges night, law day, and holiday parties.

Membership is open to legal and non-legal professionals in all areas of practice. These include new entrants, seasoned experts, litigators, and specialists in other disciplines. All work toward the betterment of the legal system and the spirit of collegiality. Meetings usually involve open debates between the bar members and industry leaders, community leaders, and policymakers, with discussion around technology, new laws and effects on their industries, and potential avenues for improvement.

The Chicago Lighthouse

Megan Goldish has served as a Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County for the last six and a half years. As a judge, Megan Goldish’s responsibilities vary daily as she presides over criminal, civil, felony, and misdemeanor domestic violence cases. Outside the courtroom, Judge Goldish is involved with her community and works on behalf of many philanthropic causes. She is currently the co-president of the junior board of the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind.

Since its inception in 1906, the Chicago Lighthouse has served the blind, the visually impaired, the disabled, and veterans. The organization provides an array of services to those it serves such as rehabilitation, education, employment opportunities, and technology. In total, there are 40 services and programs that the organization offers.

One of these is the Birth-to-Three Early Intervention Program, which provides family support to parents with infants and toddlers who have vision loss along with other disabilities. To help both parent and child, intervention specialists regularly visit the families in order to support parents and help them prepare their young children for preschool and kindergarten. Support comes in the form of visual, developmental, and occupational therapy, as well as medical examinations and psychological services.