{"id":8542,"date":"2019-04-25T08:42:02","date_gmt":"2019-04-25T15:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laverne.edu\/news\/?p=8542"},"modified":"2022-01-12T12:30:56","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T20:30:56","slug":"college-law-takes-first-place-international-law-school-mediation-tournament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laverne.edu\/news\/2019\/04\/25\/college-law-takes-first-place-international-law-school-mediation-tournament\/","title":{"rendered":"College of Law Takes First Place at International Law School Mediation Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"
The 每日大赛\u2019s College of Law was awarded first place Mediation Team Award at the 2019 INADR International Law School Mediation Tournament \u2013 a first for the university.<\/p>\n
Students Mayra Hernandez, Myla Sarmiento, and Andrea Schulewitch, were among 53 teams from over 35 countries that competed in the international tournament held in Athens, Greece.<\/p>\n
Last year, the La Verne team brought home the Best New Team Award at the competition. The students were determined to compete again and go all the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe difference this year was experience,\u201d said Dana King, adjunct professor at the College of Law<\/a> and coach. \u201cMyra, Myla, and Andrea worked hard both years to prepare for the competition and their preparation and dedication was rewarded.\u201d<\/p>\n Practice Makes Perfect<\/strong><\/p>\n Training began last August with weekly five-hour sessions. The team was encouraged to practice an additional 2-4 hours per week for extra research.<\/p>\n \u201cWe spent hours reading the judges\u2019 feedback from the prior year to improve not only ourselves but as a team altogether. In these competitions, feedback is a gift,\u201d Sarmiento said.<\/p>\n Prior to the start of the competition, the team received general facts. It was not until 45-minutes prior to arriving on site did the students learn which side they would be on. One team member is designated as a mediator and co-mediates with a student from another school. \u201cAs a co-mediator you are given one hour to build rapport with a student from another country, create a shared opening statement, and devise a plan for mediation,\u201d Schulewitch said.<\/p>\n The other two team members portray an advocate and a client while participating in a separate session for the same round. Each team member\u2019s score is added to the overall team score.<\/p>\n The competition not only grew more competitive but gave a bird\u2019s eye view to diverse legal styles.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most challenging aspect of this competition was trying to predict the other teams\u2019 negotiation styles,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cIt was an eye-opener to be in a competition where countries from around the world showcased their legal culture and negotiation styles.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Schulewitch, it was incredible to see the competition bring together so many diverse backgrounds to focus on alternative methods to peacefully resolve conflicts and promote healing.<\/p>\n Final Scores<\/strong><\/p>\n After the first three preliminary rounds, Hernandez received 8th<\/sup> place Independent Mediator Award. The team also received the Spirit Award, which is voted on by all the participating students in the competition. Next, they advanced to the semi-final round where they took 10th<\/sup> place Advocate & Client Award. Schulewitch mediated the final round and earned enough points to push the team to first place.<\/p>\n \u201cI am incredibly proud of these ladies for their hard work and perseverance over the past year,\u201d said Susan Nauss Exon, professor of law, advisor, and co-coach. \u201cThey represented the 每日大赛\u2019s College of Law with the utmost integrity and professionalism.\u201d<\/p>\n It was the first time the students traveled to Greece. They held lunch school fundraisers, created a formal letter addressed to major law firms and organizations for their support. The team was able to raise over $5,000 to help with travel expenses.<\/p>\n Next Chapter<\/strong><\/p>\n All three students are set to graduate this May. They hope their passion for competition will inspire the next class of law students.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is an experience that I wish all ADR teammates can have,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cThe spirit of this international competition leaves you excited for the future and the development of a more interconnected legal world.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information on the 每日大赛\u2019s College of Law, visit law.laverne.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n