Conceived in 1994, the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Mock Trial Series explores the connection of classical theatre and modern-day law. For this year’s mock trial, Goneril v. The Kingdom, Cohen Seglias partner Shanlon Wu will serve as counsel and Sydney Smith Forquer will be his second chair. Throughout the years, prominent law professionals have participated, including U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr., Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, and the Honourable Suzanne Côté from the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as Chief Judge Merrick B. Garland, Judge David S. Tatel, Judge Thomas B. Griffith, Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Judge Patricia A. Millett, Judge Cornelia T.L. Pillard, Judge Robert L. Wilkins, and Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Leary of Treason: Goneril v. The Kingdom
Weary of his responsibilities, an aging King Lear divests his lands and power between his daughters based on their declarations of love for him. Cordelia, his youngest, is silent and receives naught. All is then split between Goneril (the eldest) and Regan (the middle sister). Things escalate quickly—feelings are hurt, eyes are gouged out, and various treasons are committed.
We find ourselves at Goneril’s appeal in the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (after she was denied severance from Edmund’s own earlier trial against… well… everyone). Will the eldest daughter’s appeal garner the results she is hoping for? That’s up to you to decide.
Participants
The Bench:
- Judge David S. Tatel, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, presiding
- Judge J. Michelle Childs, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- Judge Paul L. Friedman, United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Judge Florence Y. Pan, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Counsel:
- Michelle Kallen, Partner, Jenner & Block; Former Solicitor General of Virginia
- Shanlon Wu, Partner, Cohen Seglias
Marshal for the Court:
- Marshal Pamela Talkin, Former Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States
Moderator:
- Abbe David Lowell, STC Board of Trustees Vice Chair, Chair of the Bard Association
Special Guest:
- Rosa Gilmore, Goneril in STC’s King Lear