CNDR's Second Leadership Lab Certificate Comes to a Close

From the Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR), Deputy Director Mattie Robertson taught the application-only Leadership Lab Certificate for a second summer. A six-hour, interactive skills course for current UC Law SF students held in June 2021, Leadership Lab was designed to help students learn tools and techniques that will serve them as professionals and encourage growth as leaders in the workplace.

With a group of nearly 40 current UC Law SF students, the Certificate focused on topics such as effective communication to better engage with conflict, professional values, negotiation and interest-based bargaining, identity and bias, and power imbalances. Lots of breakout activities kept students engaged and gave them a chance to practice their new skills, as well as get to know each other better.

Instructor Mattie Robertson designed the Certificate based on her experiences as a dispute resolution professional, seeing how her training as a mediator was helpful in advancing her relationships in the workplace. She notes, “if there is one thing all lawyers do, it is negotiate, so knowing how to communicate effectively is essential!” After a challenging year of virtual learning, these interpersonal skills will be essential to our student’s success both in and out of the classroom.

A special thanks to guests Lauren Lofton from Student Services, and Emily Kan and Gabriel Bellman from the Career Development Office for joining the series and adding their valuable skills and perspectives.

Congratulations to all the students in the Certificate and CNDR looks forward to seeing you on campus next year!