ADR Teams Compete in State Bar Environmental Negotiation Competition

March 28, 2012

By Professor Paul Spiegelman

Two teams representing the Thomas Jefferson ADR Society competed in State Bar Environmental  Negotiation Competition on Friday, March 25 at UCLA.   Ryan Storms and Emily Shank, coached by Andrew Isaac and Molly Fashola, prepared for five weeks for the competition.  They had two strong preliminary rounds and received  great praise from the judges and Professor Spiegelman for their ability to control the negotiation while maintaining a positive relationship with their opposing counsel and reach favorable results.  Rane Caselegno and Garrett Mclearen were recruited two days before the competition when we found out for the first time that we would have a second team in the competition.   Rane and Garrett had been helping Ryan and Emily prepare and when the opportunity to compete came up, they jumped at it.  The judges were very positive about Rane and Garrett’s performance as well,  even commenting on how well they prepared and  worked together as a team.  Thomas Jefferson has a storied history in this competition.  Of the 13 years the competition has been held, we have been to the final four 5 times, winning twice and placing second twice.  This year was not a final four year, but the performances were very strong.