New York, NY, February 25, 2019 — As more courts adopt mediation protocols and law schools increasingly teach the importance of these skills in the classroom setting, the New York State Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section has announced the launch of its Inaugural Mediation Tournament.  Taking place from March 22 – 23 in NYC at the American Arbitration Association – International Centre for Dispute Resolution and New York International Arbitration Center, the event will enable three-member teams of local law students to develop and display both advanced mediation and advocacy skills.  The Tournament will be judged by a respected group of experienced mediators and practitioners and a variety of cash prizes will be awarded to the winning teams and mediator.

“With the practice of mediation on the rise and law schools offering an increasing array of dispute resolution programs, it is very rewarding to be involved with an event that allows law students to test and grow their skills in a different kind of forum,” said Leslie Berkoff, Co-Chair of the Mediation Committee of the Dispute Resolution Section of the New York State Bar Association and a partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP, who developed and launched the Tournament.  “This is a truly wonderful opportunity for the students to earn valuable mediation experience, receive evaluations on their skills from some of the most respected experts in the field, and to network with top industry legal talents.”

The final round judges for the Tournament are: Judge Elizabeth Stong, Federal Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of New York, Justice Jeffrey K. Oing, Associate Justice, First Department, New York State Supreme Court, Clair Gutekunst, Esq., Independent Mediator and Former President of the New York State Bar Association and   Nancy M. Thevenin, Esq., Independent Arbitrator and Mediator, and Former Chair of the International Section of the New York State Bar Association.

To learn more about the New York State Bar Association Inaugural Mediation Tournament and for student teams to register, please visit: http://www.nysba.org/store/events/registration.aspx?event=DRSMC19.  If you wish to serve as a judge please contact: lberkoff@moritthock.com

 

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