ASU College of Law advocacy team wins national championship

Alden Anderson and Chelsea Hesla, both third-year law students at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, won the National Championship for the American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section’s Representation in Mediation Competition.

“It took a tremendous amount of preparation and work for Alden and Chelsea to get ready for the competition, and I am so proud of their performance. They are excellent examples of how to advocate successfully for your client,” said Art Hinshaw, director of the College of Law’s Lodestar Dispute Resolution Program. “Also deserving of recognition are their coach Kristine Reich and ASU’s other team, Skyler Butcher and Elisha Dunn, who played out numerous practice rounds with them. Additionally deserving of thanks are our alums who worked with them throughout the competition – Alexandra Anemone, Daniel Crane, Jo-Ann Handy, Kirk Howell and Erika Mansur.”

Anderson and Hesla competed against nine other regional teams in the national rounds on April 2-3 in Miami, Fla. In the final round, they defeated a team from Ohio State.

“Moot court presents some of the most valuable experiences a student can have in law school. It provides students the opportunity to practice using skill sets that are extremely valuable when they become lawyers,” said dean Douglas Sylvester. “We are incredibly proud of Alden and Chelsea and the achievements of all our student teams, faculty and community advisers, and staff who make our program one of the best in the country.”

ASU teams have a history of success in the national competition. This is the third time an ASU team has won the championship, and the second time in the last three years. Past winners include the team of Jo-Ann Handy and Andrew High in 2012, and the team of Kristine Reich and Mikel Steinfeld in 2006. Additionally, ASU teams have made it to the national final round five times in the competition’s 15-year history.