Congratulations to Quinnipiac University School of Law's Mediation Team!

The mediation team of Bradley Hoffman and Adam Rightmer from Quinnipiac University School of Law scored first place in the American Bar Association’s Section on Dispute Resolution’s 2008 Representation in Mediation Competition. The winning team was announced today at the Dispute Resolution Section’s award luncheon during its annual conference. Ohio State Law School’s team of Amy Tulk and Tom Oakley was the runner-up.

Ninety-five teams from 49 law schools entered the competition. Ten teams were invited to compete at the National Competition over two days in Seattle. They were:

1. Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
2. American University, Washington College of Law
3. North Carolina Central University School of Law
4. Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law
5. Hamline University School of Law
6. Quinnipiac University School of Law
7. Stetson University College of Law
8. University of California-Berkeley, School of Law-Boalt Hall
9. Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
10.The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law

Brad Hoffman, a second year student, was attracted to Quinnipiac because it offers a concentration in ADR. Law Professor Jennifer G. Brown was also a draw because of her nationally recognized work in the ADR field and as the Director of Quinnipiac's Center on Dispute Resolution. Brad graduated from the University of Texas and, among other pursuits, taught English in Prague and Japan before law school. He plans to work as a conflict resolution professional upon graduation from law school.

Adam Rightmer is also a second year student. He graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Fordham University. He worked for several years before attending Quinnipiac. He currently is a law clerk at Cella, Flanagan & Weber, P.C., in North Haven, CT. Adam is considering multiple career options, including environmental law.

Congratulations to Adam and Brad, Quinnipiac, Ohio State and all of the mediation teams!

Some of my colleagues volunteered to be judges for the competition. We “older” lawyers have a lot to learn from the point system used to score the teams. It included points for teamwork, problem solving, relationship building, information gathering and generating creative options.

Additional points were given for:

--encouraging clients to speak during the mediation
--establishing a problem-solving relationship with the other side, if possible
--recognizing the other side’s interests and trying to satisfy them when possible, given their client’s interests
--taking initiative to convert the other team into problem-solvers
--generating a range of legal and non-legal options to meet client’s interests, as well as interests of other side
--evaluating and selecting options based on interests as well as objective criteria
--actively encouraging development of creative ideas.

I’m delighted to see that law schools are teaching these skills to students and the ABA is rewarding their use.