The winning team of rookie 2L competitors Anette Radonski and Gregory J. Gianoni beat negotiation teams from UNLV, UC Davis, and Pepperdine law schools in the final round of the 28-team competition. By securing first place at the ABA Western Regionals, the California Western team earns an invite to the ABA National Finals in New Orleans, La. on February 3-4, 2012.

California Western’s team of 3L competitors Anna Burnett and Lauren Sheppard helped prepare Radonski and Gianoni for the competition and contributed greatly to their victory.

The teams are coached by Deputy City Attorney Dan Rawlins and California Western alumna Tracy L. Nation '90, a seasoned trial and litigation attorney. Since Rawlins and Nation began coaching the Alternative Dispute Resolution program in Spring 2010, California Western’s Negotiation Teams produced strong showings at the State Bar of California’s Student Environmental Negotiations Competition, the Southwestern Entertainment Law Negotiation Competition, the ABA Western Regional Competition, and Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s National Sports Law Negotiation Competition.

“These competitions all focus on civil law and participating helps our team of students learn skills that they will use immediately in practice whether as in-house attorneys, public attorneys, or law firm attorneys,” says Nation. “It truly takes them from the classroom, puts them through extensive practical training, and gives them the opportunity to test their skills against top law schools. My hat’s off to California Western for making this a focus of the law school experience.” 

ABA Law Student Division Negotiation Competition
The ABA Law Student Division Negotiation Competition simulates legal negotiations in which law students, acting as lawyers, negotiate a series of legal problems. Being proficient in negotiation is an important skill-set for all lawyers, no matter what area of practice they pursue. The competition helps students build their skills by providing a forum to negotiate under time constraints and in an area of law with which they may not be familiar. Those who thrive typically excel at effective communication and the ability to quickly assess the interests of their client and adversary.

Developing Real-World Skills
California Western is dedicated to preparing graduates with the knowledge, skills, and perspective to build a rewarding career. Participation in the Alternative Dispute Resolution program offers students the opportunity to develop real-world problem-solving skills through hands-on experience. By combining a traditional, broad-based legal education with a focus on practical training, students are better prepared to enter the legal profession.