On Saturday, October 25th, the ADR Society hosted a mediation competition with William and Mary's ADR Society. The University of Richmond School of Law was represented by six students from its ADR Society and its Role of the Lawyer in Mediation class, taught by adjunct professor, Geetha Ravindra.
William and Mary's adjunct professor, Tazewell T. Hubbard, III, a Richmond Law alumnus (Class of 1968), brought along six students from the school's ADR Society. Donita M. King, a mediator with Commonwealth Mediation Group and collaborative lawyer, assisted with the event.
Ms. Ravindra, Mr. Hubbard, and Ms. King mediated two rounds between each lawyer-client team, played by the students. It was a full day, with lunch provided by the ADR Society in between the two rounds. Students had the opportunity to roleplay, once as an attorney and once as a client. One round concerned a personal injury suit; the other concerned a sexual harassment suit.
"The competition was a great opportunity that offered practical experience," said 2L Tae Courtney, CLE Co-Chair of the ADR Society. "It offered us the chance to apply the skills we have learned in the ADR courses and to improve on those skills by reflecting on our performance through feedback from the judges. By competing with students from another school, I saw our strengths and the extent of our understanding of the mediation process. The competition really showed the beneficial effect the ADR courses are having on our student body and the value of those skill sets being taught by UR professors."
Students came prepared with legal research, negotiation strategies, and opening statements. Although no winner was declared, as this was an agreed-upon exercise instead of a "competition," students from both schools had the opportunity to practice their mediation advocacy skills. The intra-scholastic element made the roleplays more realistic since students negotiated with less familiar students.
"This was my first mock mediation, and it was really interesting to see the difference between trying to come to a meeting point instead of going for the win, and what a huge effect small concessions can make given the fact pattern, such as a substantial decrease in the demanded dollar amount as a result of proposing non-monetary solutions," said 2L Alissa Hurley.
"Being the client in the mediation simulations was also a different feeling — instead of being quiet and watching your attorney do all the work, you have an active role in shaping the outcome which can feel empowering, especially to the plaintiff," said Alissa.
Faith Alejandro is a second year student at Richmond Law. Submit comments and letters to the editor via jurispub@richmond.edu .
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