Law 694: Dispute Resolution Team

Dispute Resolution team is a graded experiential advocacy course conducted in the fall (two hours) and spring (two hours) semesters for a total of four credit hours.  Enrollment is by audition only.  Per ABA Standard 310, to earn two credit hours per semester, each student must account for 90 hours of time. 

 Students who accept the invitation to join Dispute Resolution Team will compete in one regional or national dispute resolution advocacy competition in both the fall and spring semester.  These competitions may be focused on arbitrations, negotiations, client counseling, or mediations.  Enrollment is based upon an audition process, generally held following final examinations in the Spring semester.  Students will audition for a specialty:  arbitration, mediation, negotiations, or client counseling.  Selected students will then participate in an external competition each semester that relates to their selected specialty.

 Further, students who accept the invitation to join Dispute Resolution Team will undergo rigorous training with a practitioner coach and periodic bonus critiques from College of Law faculty, Illinois alumni, and additional seasoned practicing attorney volunteers as competition weekend approach.  The Anderson Center for Advocacy and Professionalism will also provide additional workshops and programs to help with overall development as well as individual optimization.

Course Sequence/Corequisite/Prerequisites:  Students enrolled must complete Professionalism in Advocacy as a co-requisite during the spring semester.  Negotiations, CFI, Trial Advocacy, and Evidence are all highly recommended.

Evaluation:  Dispute Resolution Team is a two-hour graded course.  The grading will be on the College of Law’s mandatory curve for upper-level courses.  Grades will be based on participation and performance in several training sessions held throughout each semester, preparation and performance in regular practice sessions led by a faculty member coach, a final graded practice session prior to the competition, and finally based on performance in the assigned competition, inclusive of professionalism and contributions to the Dispute Resolution Team throughout the semester.

Course Classification: Experiential