The Securities Dispute Resolution Triathlon is a joint
initiative of the Hugh L. Carey Center for Dispute Resolution and
the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (FINRA). For two days, student teams from law schools
around the country meet to test their advocacy skills in the
negotiation, mediation and arbitration of a securities
dispute.
The Triathlon is not a competition of physical endurance, but of
dispute resolution competence. Students play the roles of attorneys
and clients, with some teams in the role of investor and others in
the role of broker-dealer. Members of FINRA’s roster of
experienced neutrals serve as mediators, arbitrators and judges,
critiquing the student teams and offering the students an
invaluable real-life experience. By challenging students to
negotiate, mediate, and arbitrate in a single competition, this
one-of-a-kind event gives students an opportunity to hone their
advocacy skills in a realistic and comprehensive securities dispute
experience.
Teams are composed of three students, and the competition takes
place over two days. On Saturday morning, one student plays
the role of attorney, one plays the role of client, and one plays
the role of settlement counsel as the teams negotiate.
Saturday afternoon, the students switch roles and engage in a
mediation. On Sunday, the teams arbitrate, with one student
attorney conducting direct examination, one student attorney
conducting cross-examination, and one student playing the role of
client.
Three judges drawn from FINRA's roster judge each of the
rounds. Awards are given for Excellence in Negotiation,
Excellence in Mediation Advocacy, and Excellence in Arbitration
Advocacy, as well as the award to the Triathlon Champion and the
Advocate's Choice Award, which goes to the team voted by the
competitors as having the highest degree of skill, competence and
professionalism.
2012 Securities Dispute Resolution
Triathlon
The 2012 Securities Dispute Resolution Triathlon will take place on
October 13-14, 2012 at St. John's Manhattan campus.
The payment deadline for Triathlon participants is September 1,
2012. You can
register online or by completeing and returning the form in the
Triathlon brochure. Please
contact us for more information on the Triathlon's format and
rules.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2012 Securities Dispute
Resolution Triathlon.