Western New England University School of Law entered the American Bar Association (ABA) Region 1 Negotiation Competition, with three two-person teams this fall. A total of 16 law school teams from throughout New England and New York State competed at the University of Connecticut School of Law in Hartford. After two days of intense competition, the three Western New England University teams finished in first, second and third place, sweeping the competition!
The teams included law students Thomas Holman of East Hampton CT, and Joseph Masse of Wakefield RI in first place. Matthew Minniefield of Middletown NY, and Kimberly Roche of Longmeadow MA in second place. And Rachna Khanna of South Glastonbury CT, and Egzon Beha of Rochester NY, in third place.
“The last several weeks of intense preparation and practice were exhilarating and worth all the effort,” remarked law student Rachna Khanna. “Law Professor René Reich-Graefe was our coach, and he was the most amazing teacher, collaborator and inspiring influence on each one of us.”
The University teams that placed first and second in the ABA Region 1 competition will go on to compete in the national competition in Chicago, IL, in February 2017. Assisting Professor René Reich-Graefe in coaching the teams were law alumni Mark Borenstein, Cara Hale, Chris Rousseau and Sandra San Emeterio.
University coach and alumna Sandra San Emeterio remarked, “I’m so very proud of all of you! My fondest memory of Law School is the time I spent on the negotiation team. Best of luck in Chicago, and I hope to get the opportunity to help you again.”
In the 2015 ABA competition, the School of Law team of Christopher M. Rousseau and Emily A. Dubuc went on to compete in the finals in San Diego.
