The Negotiation & Mediation Team at Florida International University’s College of Law provides students with firsthand experience in alternative dispute resolution, a critical skill for modern legal practice. Through national and international competitions, students develop and refine negotiation, mediation, and arbitration skills and techniques in real-world scenarios lawyers encounter in practice. The team also offers workshops hosted by experienced practitioners throughout the school year to help team members sharpen their alternative dispute resolution and negotiation skills.
At competition, students act as advocates for clients using a blend of general facts available to both sides and confidential facts unique to each team to craft strategies and pursue their most favorable outcomes. These confidential facts simulate the asymmetry of information often found in negotiations and mediations in practice. Students learn to think strategically, adapt to new information in real time, and advocate effectively in high-pressure settings.
The team prepares extensively with the guidance of experienced student-coaches, alumni, and faculty through multiple practice rounds designed to sharpen analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. These experiences not only build confidence but also prepare students for practice in both litigation and transactional settings.
Team Tryouts
Tryouts for the Negotiation & Mediation Team take place during the fall semester as an intramural competition. Law students interested in joining the competition team must attend one informational session and one “bootcamp” session prior to participating in the intramural competition.
Requirements
To be eligible to compete in the intramural competition, rising second, third, and fourth-year law students must be in good standing and not on academic probation. There is no class requirement to tryout.
Executive Board
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
Co-President | Emma Masters |
Co-President | Carlos Ayala |
Senior Vice-President | Jose Toshio Garces |
Vice President of Competitions | Robert Gutierrez |
Vice President of Marketing & Communications | Renee Sealy |
Director of Alumni Relations & Outreach | Catherine Ullivarri |
Faculty Advisor
Professor Yordanka Delionado serves as the Negotiation & Mediation Team Faculty advisor. Professor Delionado is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of Legal Skills and Values III. She is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and commercial litigator. She also clerked for two federal judges in the Southern District of Florida. Her professional background brings invaluable real-world insight, enriching the academic environment and playing a critical role in the team’s continued success.