Teams from seven law schools are expected to participate in a regional Client Counseling Competition Feb. 19 on the Widener Law Delaware campus. The competition is presented by the American Bar Association Law Student Division’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.
The
Widener chapter of the ADR Society, led by President Joseph Siclari and advised by Associate Professors
Patrick J. Johnston and
Francis J. Catania Jr., is coordinating the event. Widener Law students Michelle Sanginiti, Michael Mastrangelo and Preet Bassi are serving as the competition chairpersons.
Students from American University Washington College of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law, George Washington University Law School, University of Baltimore School of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law and Villanova Law School are expected to participate.
In the competition, students conduct an interview with a person playing a client. The interview includes eliciting facts, advising about the relevant law, discussing client options, and assisting the client to make informed decisions. Panels of judges, lawyers, and professional counselors judge the students’ performances through several rounds.
Winners of the regional event at Widener Law will go on to compete in a final round of the national competition to be held at the University of Oklahoma College of Law in Norman, Okla.