Two teams from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law participated in the Regional Negotiation Competition in Dallas, Texas November 9-10.
The competition involved 24 teams from 10 different law schools competing in two rounds of negotiation. Following the completion of those rounds, a significant cut is made and only four teams are permitted to advance to the second day of competition. Of those teams, only one advances from the regional to the national competition.
The teams from the College of Law consisted of Max Backlund and Tamara Rasch, and Trace Downey and Victoria Bunch. Team coach Jess Krannich (’05) said that, “In both rounds, the teams from the College of Law negotiated a significantly more favorable outcome for their clients than did their opponents. The students also outdid their competitors stylistically, exhibiting confidence, polish, integrity and a vast range of negotiation skills. Although our teams did not advance to the second day of competition, they placed highly and, more importantly, performed as well as any team I have seen in this competition. The school should be proud of these exceptional students.”
Krannich also thanked those who had assisted the teams, including professors Linda Smith and Jim Holbrook; staff members Baiba Hicks, Kay Shelton, Karen Fuller and Kirsten Kasper who helped facilitate the class and organized the travel to the competition; and Zoraya Gappmaier, Bebe Grill and Shane Smith, members of last year’s teams who donated their time to do mock negotiations and answer questions.