Competitions              

As dispute resolution has expanded throughout legal education, so too have the opportunities for experience. The following competitions therefore, in addition to course works students are able to engage in real life experiences by participating in a number of competitions. These serve to provide students a hands on experience with a number of different dispute resolution processes.

As dispute resolution has become more common, not only within the United states, but in fact the world, it is fitting that these competitions span the globe as well as legal representation no longer knows strict bounderies.

Lawyering and Advocacy in Dispute Resolution
Providing Experience in Contemporary Methods of Legal Representation 
Sponsored by the Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution at South Texas College of Law 

 This program manages and administers a number of regional, national and international law student competitions with the concentration and focus on representing clients in a variety of dispute resolution methods.

Currently, South Texas College of Law teams participate in the following competitions:

Client Counseling:  The Law Student Division of the American Bar Association (ABA) sponsors this simulation involving a law office consultation. The law student-attorneys are presented with a client matter and conduct an interview. After gathering information, they provide counsel including an explanation of how they would proceed further in the hypothetical case.

Negotiation:  Also part of the ABA Law Student Division, in this competition students practice legal negotiation in a variety of legal matters. The competition features two teams of co-counsel who negotiate a settlement of a legal matter on behalf of their respective clients.   

International  Competition for Online Dispute Resolution:  Referred to as ICODR, teams from law schools around the world compete on line. The competition covers client instruction, case pleading, negotiation and mediation in the field of commercial dispute resolution.

Representation in Mediation:  Sponsored by the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, this competition has its focus on the ability of lawyers to effectively represent clients in mediation. The interaction of lawyer and client along with interest-based problem solving is the foundation of this competition.  

International Mediation:   Modeled after the national ABA Representation in Mediation Competition and held in Paris each year, this competition is sponsored by the International Chamber of Commerce.  Teams are selected by Invitation Only, and STCL participated in February 2008.

Domestic Arbitration:   This ABA sponsored competition allows students to gain experience in domestic arbitration practice and procedures.  A realistic arbitration hearing is simulated and the participants prepare and present an arbitration case, including opening statements, witness examinations, exhibit introductions, evidentiary presentations, and summations.

International Commercial Arbitration:   As participants in the Vis Moot Arbitration Competition, students must write briefs for both the Claimant and Respondent on a problem concerning an international commercial transaction.  Issues are both procedural and substantive.  Oral arguments take place each year in Vienna and Hong Kong, with several PreMoots as well.

International Maritime Law Arbitration:   Sponsored by Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, this competition which typically involves a commercial shipping dispute, also requires the participants to write briefs for the Claimant and Respondent. The Oral Arguments take place in Australia in June each year.