Inaugural National Arbitration Competition for Law Students Takes Place November 18-20, 2005

Minneapolis, MN, November 09, 2005 --(PR.com)-- William Mitchell College of Law will host the inaugural Arbitration Competition National Finals in St. Paul on Nov. 18 – 20.  The American Bar Association Law Student Division and the National Arbitration Forum developed this competition, which serves to promote greater knowledge in arbitration among law students by simulating a realistic arbitration hearing.

“This exciting new competition is designed to provide law students with arbitration education and training to promote excellence in arbitration advocacy,” said Peggy Pissarreck, assistant director, ABA Law Student Division. Participating students will learn how to think, act and be an advocate representing a client in an arbitration. The students prepare and present an arbitration case and are involved in opening statements, witness examinations, exhibit introductions, evidentiary presentations and summations. This year’s competition focuses on a commercial dispute between two businesses.

“As alternative dispute resolution solutions, such as arbitration and mediation, continue to gain popularity as alternatives to going to court, it is imperative that we equip today’s law students with the knowledge and skills they will need to identify and employ out-of-court solutions to benefit their clients,” said Roger Haydock, director of education for the National Arbitration Forum and law professor for William Mitchell College of Law. “This competition will provide a solid foundation toward that goal.”

Each American Bar Association-approved law school was eligible to enter a team in the competition. National Arbitration Forum arbitrators, along with other nationally recognized arbitrators in the field, will volunteer their time to judge the competition. Twenty teams in all will compete, and awards will be provided to all participating teams with the winning team receiving a monetary award.

###