Congratulations, Dispute Resolution Board!
This weekend saw the Dispute Resolution Board competing “from sea to shining sea,” from Brooklyn to Miami to Los Angeles, in three different skill areas – Client Counseling, Negotiation, and Arbitration. To say they came back with a lot to celebrate is an understatement. This week, rather than honoring a single team, the DR Board banner will celebrate the achievements of three outstanding teams.
First, the ABA Client Counseling team consisting of team captain and DR veteran Selina Nadeau, Jack Haverkate, Grace Moseley, and Rachel Esposito represented Stetson in the Brooklyn regionals, coached by Stetson alumna Emily Bollman, Esquire. Jack, Grace, and Rachel were representing Stetson for the first time. This particular competition consists of a single cut to three finalists and, of the three teams advancing to finals, two were Stetson teams because both of our teams finished as finalists, with Selina and Jack taking the bronze and Grace and Rachel bringing home the silver. Congratulations and well done, Selina, Jack, Grace, and Rachel!
Before I move on to the next team, I want to make a special note regarding the team captain, Selina. By way of background, when a DR member earns advancement at the level of semifinalist or higher, that member earns a gavel at the end of the year. Selina has now earned a gavel in all four major areas in which DR competes: first, Arbitration (semifinalist) in the fall of her 2L year, followed by Negotiation (champion) in the spring of her 2L year, Mediation (champion) in the fall of her 3L year, and now Client Counseling (finalist) in the spring of her 3L year. This is a truly extraordinary achievement. Congratulations, Selina!
Our second team to compete this weekend was our Vis international commercial arbitration team, coached by Professor Vaughan and alumni Jason Stearns and Matt Ceriale. Team captain and DR veteran Taylor Simonds led the team of Sam McDougall, Mary Roseth, Phillip Faires, and Jaclyn Foster. Sam, Mary, Phillip, and Jaclyn were all representing Stetson for the first time. For the sixth year in a row, Stetson’s Dispute Resolution Board has won the Florida Bar International Law Section’s Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot in Miami. In fact, Stetson swept the awards once again this year, with our team taking first place, team captain Taylor Simonds receiving the Best Oralist award for a stunning second year in a row, and team member Phillip Faires earning Runner-Up Best Oralist. This marks the fourteenth time Stetson has won the competition and the ninth time we have won the Best Oralist designation during the 18 years that the Florida Bar International Law Section has sponsored the competition.
Last to get results, but certainly not least, was our Southwestern Negotiation Tournament team, competing in Los Angeles. You may remember hearing a few weeks ago that Stetson was the only school to advance two teams from the virtual preliminary rounds to the in-person final rounds in Los Angeles. Representing Stetson were Tom Corey, Sierra Demartino, Anna Mease, and Delano Martins, coached by Professor Sheehan and alumnae Kaile Williams and Kylie Weaver. Congratulations to Finalists Tom and Sierra and Semifinalists Anna and Delano for representing us so well!