Fordham Law School’s experiential program, under the direction of Professor and Faculty Director of Professional Skills Beth Schwartz, hosted the ABA Law Student Division’s Client Counseling Competition on Feb. 3 and 4.This is the first time that Fordham hosted the competition and that Fordham Law students participated. Professors Jay Rubin and Gerald Lebovits, faculty with the Fundamental Lawyering Skills, coached the two student teams.
One of the Fordham teams, consisting of members Erin Shahinfar and Christopher Clark, took second place. Twelve teams participated, including teams from Albany Law, Brooklyn Law, New England School of Law, Quinnipiac School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law (from San Diego), and Touro College of Law.
The competition involved simulations of legal consultations with students acting as lawyers and professional actors as clients. The Fundamental Lawyering Skills Program has been using New York City professional actors for over 15 years in its recorded role plays with students. Judges, counselors, and lawyers from the area helped to judge the competition.