Home Law School News Client counseling teams find success at regional contest

Client counseling teams find success at regional contest

Drake Law School’s Client Counseling Teams took on seven other law school teams from four states at the American Bar Association’s Regional Client Counseling Competition held at the University of Nebraska this past weekend. White-collar crime was the topic of the competition.

Students participate in the ABA Client Counseling Competition in two-person teams. In the competition sessions, these student-lawyers conduct an initial client interview with a potential new client — an actor or actress provided by the law school hosting the competition.

The interview sessions are observed by panels of judges, including both lawyers and lay counselors, who evaluate each team’s interviewing and counseling skills, as well as their problem-solving abilities.

Drake Law School entered two teams — Jeff Hicks/Jenna Green and Miguel Puentes/Jennifer Johannsen. Both teams advanced to the semifinal round of the regional competition.

The team of Hicks and Green won first place in the final round, beating finalist teams from the University of Nebraska and William Mitchell. Hicks and Green will compete next in the national finals of the Client Counseling Competition on March 19-20 at Baylor University Law School.

“All of the students worked hard to prepare for the competition and it paid off,” said Matt Doré, professor of law and faculty adviser for the teams.