2Ls Caden Jackson and Caleb Kunde won the American Bar Association's 2023-2024 Mediation Competition in Chicago on April 6, 2024. Their outstanding performance demonstrates the exceptional advocacy skills developed at Texas Tech Law and adds to the Law School's impressive history of advocacy success.
The win marks Texas Tech Law's 55th national title and cements the Law School's status as the only law school in the country to have won national titles in all five ABA Law Student Division competitions. These include the Arbitration Competition, National Appellate Advocacy Competition, Client Counseling Competition, Negotiation Competition, and Mediation Competition.
“Professor Rob Sherwin is an exceptional director of our advocacy program,” said Jack Wade Nowlin, dean of the Law School. “Thanks to his dedication and hard work, our program has achieved continued success, and so many of our students have become great advocates. His commitment to students is evident in our becoming the first law school to win a national title at all of the ABA competitions.”
The Mediation Competition is designed to give law students a taste of what it's like to represent clients in mediation. Participants are evaluated based on their ability to balance advocacy and problem-solving skills to reach a favorable settlement that meets their client's interests.
Jackson and Kunde faced stiff competition, including a showdown against Ohio State, the defending champions, whom they bested in the final round.
“With hard work, dedication, and preparation, anything is possible,” said Jackson, reflecting on their achievement. He also credited their coaches—Braden Anderson '23, Morgan Walton '23, and Rob Sherwin '01, Champions in Advocacy Endowed Professor of Law and Director of the Advocacy Program—for their invaluable support and guidance.
“This win is not just a victory for the team but a testament to the hard work, dedication, and sheer talent of these two outstanding students,” Anderson said. “Witnessing their growth, both individually and collectively, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I know they have very bright futures ahead of them.”
Congratulations to Jackson, Kunde, and their coaches on their outstanding victory! Their accomplishment has earned them a spot on the long list of Texas Tech Law advocates who have won national titles and secured another historic first in advocacy for Texas Tech Law on the national stage.