The ABA Section of Dispute Resolution seeks experienced mediators and lawyers for the regional Representation in Mediation Competition, February 27-28, 2021, hosted by UConn Law School via the online platform, Webex. In this competition, law students role-play as attorneys and clients in a mediation setting. The competition measures how well law students model appropriate preparation for and representation of a client in mediation.
Volunteers will either serve as the mediator for the role-play or judge the law students participating in the competition. Past volunteers reported learning much that is helpful in their practice, teaching, and mediation work, as well as enjoying seeing how much the law students learn.
Our greatest need is for volunteers to serve in Round 1, scheduled for February 27, 2021 at 10 AM, and Round 2, scheduled for February 27, 2021 at 3 PM. Rounds will last about three hours. We will have a training and orientation for all volunteers prior to the competition.
The Final Round will be on February 28, 2021 at 10 AM.
Role of the Mediator: Volunteer mediators serve as mediators for the role-play, with the students playing the roles of lawyers and clients. Volunteer mediators are required to use a facilitative mediation style so that the student competitors see a consistent style throughout the competition.
Role of the Judge: Volunteer judges evaluate and score the quality of representation by the student teams and also give feedback directly to the students. We are interested in having people with knowledge and/or experience in interest-based negotiation. Competition rules recommend that judges should be attorneys and experienced in interest-based negotiation and mediation.
If you would like to volunteer, please complete the short form. All volunteers will be sent a confirmation, an assignment to a specific competition round, and additional information, including the Rules and Instructions for Judges, and the problems assigned to the competitors.