Negotiation and
Dispute Resolution Team
The UC Law SF Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Team provides students with opportunities to practice their negotiation and mediation skills on a regular basis throughout the school year.
Through the Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR), the UC Law SF Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Team (ADR Team) provides students with opportunities to practice their negotiation and mediation skills on a regular basis throughout the school year. Why join?
- Team members receive individual support, coaching and mentoring from faculty and local practitioners designed to maximize competitive performance, increase understanding of legal problems and their practical implications, and to develop skills.
- More and more, law firms are looking for JDs with practical experience. Team alumni repeatedly report that they get asked about their Team experience in interviews.
- In addition, the Team is a tight-knit community at UC Law SF, providing social and academic support to each other. Many have made life-long friends through the team.
Competitions
The Team consistently wins national competitions. Competitions are sponsored by bar associations, law schools and international business organizations. In addition to providing important resume building experience, participating in these competitions provides valuable recognition and networking opportunities for a career in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
How to Get Involved
Tryouts for UC Law SF Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Team occur at the very beginning of the Fall semester each year. During the first week of school, look for when the team’s information sessions are scheduled. The information sessions are the best way for you to get your questions about the team answered and to hear from fellow students about being on the team.
Any UC Law SF student may tryout for the Team, including 1Ls. Adjusting to law school and its demands may not be suitable with the additional demands of the team for some 1Ls. The tryout process is intense during the first month of school. After the In School Competition, the demands of the team are less until one’s competition approaches. Most competitions take place in the Spring. The month preceding a competition is similar to the tryout schedule, when you will be practicing with your teammates. You will also be asked to help other teams prepare for their competitions when you are not preparing for your own competition, which might be one evening per week.
Course Credit and Travel
Team members receive one unit of credit for each semester in which they participate in a live competition. UC Law SF pays for the travel costs (including meals and lodging) to competitions. Students who win regional events also go on to compete at national final rounds.
Join the Team
Info sessions and tryouts are held each fall during the first month of school. All are welcome, even 1Ls, LLMs, and MSLs. Please check CNDR’s Sharknet page or the UC Law SF Master Calendar for dates. For more information about the Team, contact Clint Waasted, Team Director, at waastedc@uclawsf.edu. Or come by the CNDR office, Suite 230, 198 McAllister, call 415.581.8941, or email cndr@uclawsf.edu.
A team board Q&A was recorded recently and answers common FAQ from students:
Volunteer Opportunities
The Team’s continuing success is due in large part to the quality of coaching we are able to provide to our students from local advocates and practitioners. The students learn so much from the feedback and advice given from professionals. Many of our coaches and judges tell us how much they enjoy working with the students, and how their volunteer experience with the team has actually helped them in their own practice.
Contact cndr@uclawsf.edu to volunteer as a coach or judge.
