California Western ADR Team Competes in ABA Regional Mediation Competition

On January 24, the California Western ADR Team competed in the American Bar Association’s Representation in Mediation Regional Competition. Traditionally, teams have about a month to prepare by analyzing their fact pattern and negotiating mock rounds in practice. Not this time. The team had only 12 days and a few practices to prepare. After a sprint, not a marathon, to the finish line, the competition was here. Cal Western sent two teams of two: Juhi Bhakta and Arian Moshfegh; and Brandon Castro and Arman Sadighian. 

Both were ready and excited to compete. (Both went against quality opponents -the schools we faced were not identified.) Both teams received praise from judges for their well-spoken, organized, direct, and collaborative approach. As they awaited results for the preliminary rounds, team members and coaches knew only four out of the 20 teams could advance to the finals and compete for a spot in Nationals. Both teams were confident in their performances. Both teams gave it all they had. Both teams made the finals. Everyone screamed in celebration.

Cal Western’s ADR Team has a tradition called “Win, Place, or Show.” They take pride in at least advancing to the finals for the majority of competitions they’ve done. Advancing means teams are given one night to prepare for the championship round, the next morning, consisting of an entirely different fact pattern. As one could imagine, one night is full of intense preparation and little sleep before finals.

The next morning, though both teams were ready and gave their all, it wasn’t enough. Neither team won their final round to advance to Nationals. All of us were disappointed. That initial feeling of disappointment was pushed aside by an immense feeling of pride for what this team accomplished. Finishing as Regional Finalists for any competition, let alone an ABA competition, is no small feat—and one that both team members, coaches, and the school should be proud of.

Thanks to coaches Francis Carlota '21, Alexandria Loveless '23, and Arya Sadighian '23!