Three York law students – Shabir Amlani, Jennifer Brent and Daniel Cole – walked away with the three top prizes at the fifth annual National Law School Mediation Tournament in Chicago two weeks ago.
Amlani won for best mediator, Brent for best lawyer, and Brent and Cole for client team. It was the first time a non-American team had participated in, let alone won, the mediation tournament. And it was the first time a single law school had won all three awards.
Right: From left, Shabir Amlani, Jennifer Brent, Daniel Cole and coach Fred Zemans
The competition is sponsored by the International Academy of Dispute Revolution (ADR) and the Chicago Bar Association. This year 16 three-member teams competed in the tournament. The Osgoode Hall Law School team was one of four to make it to the final mediation.
"It was a great day for the students, Osgoode, ADR and also for me," said Osgoode team coach and Professor Emeritus Fred Zemans.
Amlani, Brent and Cole were top students in Zemans’ courses, Lawyer as Negotiator and the Theory and Practice of Mediation. In Chicago, they impressed other teams, coaches, judges and organizers with their knowledge and understanding of complex legal and factual situations, and how to move the parties to resolution during the course of four mediations.
"Their success has brought pride and recognition to Osgoode, and we celebrate their win," said Osgoode Dean Patrick Monahan.