2006-2007 International Negotiations Competition
Building Bridges, Crossing Borders & Going Global:
Strategizing for Success in a Changing World
March 2-4, 2007
Boston, Massachusetts
NBLSA is pleased to announce its first International Negotiations Competition. The theme for this year’s competition is “Building Bridges, Crossing Borders and Going Global: Strategizing for Success in a Changing World.” The Competition will be held on March 2-4, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Competition is open to all NBLSA members, as well as JD, LLM, and LLB candidates from around the world. We encourage first-year students to participate since no formal training or background is required to be a successful negotiator.

The International Negotiations Competition was created to provide NBLSA members with realistic exposure to alternative dispute resolution. The Competition was also designed to promote NBLSA International Relations and foster positive relationships between NBLSA members and other law students around the world. The competition requires participants to demonstrate oral advocacy and bargaining skills in a competitive environment. Those registered for the Competition will be given the opportunity to attend an informational Welcome Reception at the Boston Bar Association on successful negotiations with leading practitioners.

The problem and rules have been released online on the NBLSA website, as well as on Westlaw’s TWEN site. Registration will open December 1, 2006, and competitors may register by mail or electronically using Acteva.

Teams will negotiate an international business dispute surrounding the development of a vaccine for HIV/AIDS treatment, judged by lawyers, judges, mediators, and negotiation specialists. All competitors will receive a general problem set and a confidential fact pattern with information specific to their party. As competitors advance through various rounds, they will be challenged by modifications to the problem set.

The focus of evaluation during the Competition will be on the competitors' ability to negotiate the most advantageous settlement for their client(s) given the facts and circumstances provided. Competitors will be critiqued on the basis of their creativity, ability to work with a partner, self-evaluation, professionalism and ethics, as well as negotiating strategy and style. For more information, please contact Pratima Narayan, International Relations Chair, at international@nblsa.org.

*There will be a 75-team cap, and teams will be allowed to register on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register as soon as possible to ensure participation.*


Deadlines

December 1, 2006 Registration Opens

January 15, 2007 $25 Late Fee Assessed

February 15, 2007 Registration Closes


Prizes

First Prize

Trip to an international destination

(Value not to exceed $1,000 USD)


Second Prize

Trip to an international destination

(Value not to exceed $500 USD)


Hotel Accommodations

Secure your discounted room in the NBLSA room block!
Reservations can be made now:

Cambridge Marriot-- $109/night

2 Cambridge Center, (Broadway & 3rd Street)

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 USA

Phone: 1-617-494-6600

Fax: 1-617-494-0036


Benefits of Participation

• Develop critical negotiation and bargaining skills

• Receive feedback from trained professionals

• Develop problem-solving ability

• Experience in transactional work

• Network with legal colleagues and professionals

• Enhance educational and employment opportunities