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The FIU Law Negotiation and Mediation Team achieved great success at this year’s InterNational Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR) Law School Mediation Competition, finishing as Semi-Finalist and winning the Second Place Mediator Award (from 120 mediators). This year’s INADR Mediation Team consisted of Stephanie Cross (3L), Sarika Laljie (2L), Savita Ramkalawan (2L), and J’Djouna Pierre (2L) (Alternate/Coach). The team traveled virtually to the University of Georgia, located in Tbilisi, Georgia, for two days of mediation training and four days of competition. The worldwide competition included 40 teams and took place virtually from April 6-9, 2021.

The competition began with the team advancing through three Preliminary Attorney/Client Rounds against Osgoode Hall (Canada), a team from Russia, and team from India.  As mediators, Stephanie co-mediated against Newcastle (UK), Savita co-mediated against UC Hastings, and Sarika co-mediated against India.  Stephanie, Sarika, and Savita advanced to the Semi-Finals as both Attorney/Client and as Mediator, which is the first time FIU Law has advanced one team in both categories.

 In the Semi-Finals, as Attorney/Client, Sarika and Savita faced Fordham University.  Fordham and FIU essentially knocked each other out of the Competition, with neither team advancing to the final round.  As mediators, Stephanie dropped a close decision to a mediator from the University of Nebraska. In addition to an impressive Semi-Final finish, Sarika Laljie won the Second Place Award for Best Individual Mediator.  The FIU team’s first round competitor (Osgoode Hall) won the Best Atty/Client team award, and the FIU team’s Semi-Final Round Mediator competitor (Nebraska) took the Second Place Mediator team award.

(Pictured from left to right: Stephanie Cross (3L), Savita Ramkalawan (2L), Sarika Laljie (2L), and J’Djouna Pierre (2L))