The Drake University Law School student arbitration teams placed first and second at the regional American Bar Association Law Student Division Arbitration Competition. The event was hosted at the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta on Nov. 7-8.
The arbitration competition simulates a realistic arbitration hearing. Participants must prepare and present an arbitration case, including opening statements, witness examinations, exhibit introductions, evidentiary presentations, and summations.
Drake’s two teams defeated teams from Georgetown, Stetson, Emory, Florida, Louisiana State, and Michigan to advance to the final round, where they competed against each other to be named champion.
The winning Drake team members include Anagha Dixit (3L), Meret Thali (3L), Nicholas Behlke (3L), and Tyler Heeren (3L).
The runner-up Drake team members include Lucas Sterbick (2L), Thomas Tolbert (2L), Christopher Merkle (3L), and Gregory Whitaker (3L). Johnathan Sears (2L) served as an alternate.
The teams are coached by Sarah Grotha, LW’12, Audra Deiber, LW’12, and Ronald Forsell, LW’15.
Both Drake teams will compete in the ABA Arbitration National Finals in Chicago on Jan. 22-23, 2016.