Representation in Mediation Competition
Future practitioners in the growing field of legal mediation can hone their skills in competition.
The 2023Representation in Mediation Competition will be held in-person on Saturday, November 18.
As an increasing number of civil legal cases are referred to mediation, it is vital that the lawyer accompanying his or her client to the mediation table has the knowledge and skill-set necessary to maximize a client’s results in this context. The interaction of lawyer and client and the use of interest-based problem solving is the focus of the Representation in Mediation Competition.
Who can participate: Participation is limited to 2nd and 3rd year law students. First year students are encouraged to contact the student Alternative Dispute Resolution Society (ADR) officers if they want to help run the Competition. There is no requirement that students have any education or background in mediation or negotiation to participate in the Competition.
The Competition: Law students form attorney-client teams and are given two different dispute fact scenarios distributed to law schools by the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association (ABA). Together the team strategizes and prepares to negotiate during two mediation sessions.
On the day of the Competition, the teams engage in negotiations with an opposing attorney-client team, facilitated by a professional mediator from the community. Three or more lawyers and/or other professionals with mediation advocacy knowledge are present to score the rounds and give feedback to the teams.
REPRESENT BUFFALO!
Intramural Competition:
Saturday, November 18, 2023
The Intramural Competition is open to 2Ls and 3Ls, winners being sent to the regional competition.
Regional Competition:
March 2024
National Competition:
April 2024