Youths Put New Negotiation Skills to Use!

It has been another great summer for Street Law’s Summer Associates Program, which connects summer associates from DC law firms with youths participating in DC’s Summer Youth Employment Program. For four weeks the summer associates of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Hogan Lovells taught the young people about employment law, advocacy, and conflict resolution.

The program culminated in a “negotiation showcase” where the young adults demonstrated the conflict resolution skills they’ve learned. This year’s showcase was held at the University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke Law School.

Participants used their newly-learned negotiation skills to tackle three topics: an employee/employer conflict, a professor/student conflict, and a residential assistant/residential director conflict. Participants were articulate speakers, active listeners, and impressive problem-solvers.  Associates from the two law firms served as evaluators and provided negotiators with helpful feedback.

Patrick Campbell, chair of Street Law’s board and a partner in Paul Weiss’s Communications and Technology Department, entertained and inspired the youths with negotiation war stories and tales of his own experiences as a Street Law student 26 years ago.

After three 45-minute negotiations and a wonderful lunch, these top negotiators received prizes and a loud ovation:

• 1st Place: Tiffany
• 2nd Place: Angel
• 3rd Place: Donniscea
• Most Creative Negotiator: Jasmine
• Best Active Listener: Angel
• Most Impressive Brainstormer: Karey

Congratulations to all participants and thanks to everyone who made the event a success!