DKJA LEGAL STUDIES PROGRAM - By Director of Legal Studies Caryn Siperstein Klein, Esq.

Donna Klein Jewish Academy is proud to offer our students with a highly competitive Legal Studies Program.  We provide special class offerings, which allow Claire and Emanuel G. ​Rosenblatt High School students the opportunity to explore their interests in the field of law, afford students a chance to consider the legal profession, as well as provide students with a competitive advantage in any career path of their choosing. Moreover, the Legal Studies Program assists students overall with developing their analytical skills, communication tools, complex decision making, and handling future academic and work challenges. 

Upon completion of any two Legal Studies Classes with an average score of an “A” and participation in an extracurricular law related team or club for two semesters, DKJA will award the student with a Certificate of Completion and Academic Excellence in the Legal Studies Program.

Class Offerings

In the Spring of 2014, Donna Klein Jewish Academy offered “Introduction to Law”. The students studied Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Criminal and Civil Procedure, Evidence, Torts, Property and Contract Law. To supplement classroom learning and lectures, the students enjoyed wonderful guest speakers, which included: a Judge of Palm Beach Circuit Court, a Judge of Palm Beach County Court,  Counsel for the Palm Beach County Courthouse, Speaker from the Palm Beach County Appraiser’s Office, Speakers from the  Palm Beach Clerk and Comptroller’s Office, Deputies from Palm Beach County Sheriff Department, an Assistant Prosecutor of Broward County, an Assistant Public Defender of Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach County State Attorney. The students also took a trip to the South County Courthouse, in Delray Beach, where they heard from three different Judges and watched multiple legal proceedings, which included Family and Probate matters as well as traffic infractions.  The students had an opportunity to observe and learn in live courtrooms.

In the Fall of 2014, DKJA offered "Law and Mock Trial".  This class will continued to have a plethora of pertinent guest speakers with a focus on both civil and criminal trials. The students learned both criminal and civil court procedure as well as the accompanying rules of evidence. The class reviewed and analyzed a case study provided by FLREA, Florida Law Related Education Association, which is partially funded by the Florida Bar Association. A new case study is provided yearly by FLREA for the Florida High School Mock Trial Competition in which DKJA competes. 

In the Spring 2015,  DKJA offered “Business Law”, which provided an overview of the variety of fields within the Legal Profession. Areas of Law included: Business and Corporate Law as well as  Intellectual Property- Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law. Students learned what attorneys accomplish on a day to day basis with a variety of guest speakers. Students were able to create their own Businesses and accompanying Legal Documents, which included Contracts, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

Extracurriculars

Mock Trial Team

The  students  have the option of participating in this academic competition in which a team of 6-8 students role play attorneys and witnesses in a fictional trial. The competition is typically held during the first week of February. Students  have a chance to compete against other school teams in their judicial circuit, and the winner goes to the state competition. Study aids will be provided which include case materials, questions, answers, and notes. 

Moot Court Team

This team will file an appeal from a trial court to an appellate court, which involves two components: a written brief to the Supreme Court of Florida and an oral argument. The top brief writers in each Appellate District will have the opportunity to present oral arguments in District Court of Appeal competitions. 

Law Club

The Law Club meets every other week to discuss pertinent cases and legal issues in the news. The students have an opportunity to interact with the Law Club advisor and discuss American Jurisprudence. 

Internships

We also promote our students to continue to learn in the summer through various internship possibilities, which are highly encouraged. The internship possibilities include but are not limited to interning at the State Attorneys Office, the Public Defenders Office, Judicial Clerkships and Private firms.

Brief Background Information

Caryn Siperstein Klein, Esq.,  is barred in Florida, New York and New Jersey. She graduated with a B.A. from Brandeis University, Cum Laude in 1998 and a graduate of their Pre-Law Program. She also graduated with a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School in 2001. Her work history includes: a Clerkship at the Passaic County Superior Court of New Jersey, an intern for a New York Supreme Court Judge  in Manhattan, an intern at the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office in New Jersey, an Intern at the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office Cambridge Consumer Counsel and a Congressional Intern at the House of Representatives for Congressman Frank.  She has been a court appointed Arbitrator to the Somerset County Superior Court and appointed by the State of New Jersey to the Roster of Superior Court Civil and Foreclosure Mediation Program as well as Certified as a Florida Family, Circuit and County Mediator. Should you have any questions regarding our program please contact KleinC@DKJA.net