The Justice & Diversity Center’s Mock Trial Program, one of the Diversity Educational Programs, provides students in San Francisco’s high schools with opportunities to build their confidence, develop public speaking skills, and gain hands-on courtroom experience. The season begins with the teaching of fundamentals in the fall, then runs through a citywide competition at San Francisco Superior Court in February, the statewide competition in March, and the national competition in May. This program is a success because of the dedicated teachers and volunteers who share their time, talents, and passion with participating students.
Clifford (“Cliff”) Yin, a partner at Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP, has been one of those invaluable volunteers. “Cliff has been a tremendous leader and asset for the Mock Trial Program for over 30 years,” said Kerry Guido, Director of JDC’s Diversity Pipeline Programs. “He has coached over 600 high school students.” From 1994 to 2002, Cliff worked with the team at The Academy–San Francisco at McAteer. In 2003, he started coaching the team at Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (RASOTA), where he is currently head coach. Among his many achievements, Cliff has led one team to third place in the state, and two teams to second place in the state.
In addition to learning about courtroom procedures and trying cases from both prosecution and defense perspectives, “the kids learn about themselves, they learn how to advocate for themselves,” said Cliff. The students aren’t the only beneficiaries of the program. When asked why he remains so committed to this service role, he considered his answer for a moment. “Each team is like a family,” he said. “We spend so much time together, and then it becomes a larger community.”
Long-term relationships have grown from previous seasons, and members of this special community meet for annual reunions. Cliff has even officiated the weddings of two of his former students. “It feels good to be part of something bigger,” he said.
We are pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate this warm and generous human and thank him for his three decades (and counting!) of service. And so that we could get to know him better, he answered our questions below.
BASF: When did you know you wanted to be an attorney?
CY: I knew early on that I am very competitive, but didn’t realize until later that I am a bit of a ham. When I saw my first trial (working as a paralegal for a law firm in college), I realized that being a lawyer would allow me to essentially do competitive drama for a living. I was hooked from then on.
BASF: What traits do you feel are necessary for someone to be “great” (great attorney, great human)?
CY: Well, I always feel like I am learning both what it takes to be a great lawyer and person. From my partner Jon Bass, I learned that, to be a great lawyer, you have to be an exceptional writer and to not take yourself too seriously. From my partner Richard Patch, I learned that you have to prepare yourself for every contingency and to savor the competition. And from the hundreds of mock trial students I have worked with over the past thirty years, I have learned the importance of patience, empathy, creativity, and joy.
BASF: What’s your favorite place in San Francisco?
CY: The California Academy of Sciences. It is an incredible place filled with unbelievable people (I’ve been lucky to work with a lot of the staff). I love the rain forest, the very cool octopus (my favorite animal), and the hours I have spent there with my kids. It is the best.
BASF: Can you share a little-known fact about you?
CY: Having grown up in Ohio, I am a fervent (i.e., obsessive) Cleveland Cavaliers fan. Neither I nor my team was very popular around here in 2016.
BASF: When life gets tough, how do you pick yourself up?
CY: We have a tough job as lawyers, so I definitely have frequent needs for pick-me-ups. Any time I need to bring a smile to my face, I spend extra time with loved ones or watch an over-the-top action movie. And if neither of those work, an extremely large plate of spaghetti always seems to do the trick.
Get involved
While participating in JDC’s Mock Trial Program offers attorneys “tremendous” opportunities for professional development, networking, and giving back to the community, the primary reason Cliff volunteers, he said, is “because the kids are amazing.”
If Cliff’s story inspires you, consider how you might contribute. Volunteer to be a judge/scorer or team coach, arrange for your firm to sponsor a school or support a team, or host the end-of-season celebration.
Contact diversity@sfbar.org for more information.