(l-r) Kerry Croft (3L), and Matthew Mowbrey (3MBA/JD)The 2013 National Canadian Client Consultation Competition simulates a law office consultation in which law students, acting as attorneys, are presented with a client matter. They conduct an interview with a person playing the role of the client and then explain how they would proceed further in the hypothetical situation.
Teams from law schools in across Canada took part in the competition in the National Canadian round. The University of Alberta team, including Kerry Croft (3L) and Matthew Mowbrey (3MBA/JD), represented University of Alberta's Faculty of Law in The National Canadian Client Consultation Competition on February 23-24, 2013, in Kingston, Ontario.
"We competed in the competition this past weekend at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Kerry Croft and Matthew Mowbrey represented the University of Alberta admirably. The team made it to the semi-final round but sadly did not progress to the final round," said Client Consultation coach Lynn Parish. "Both Matthew and Kerry expressed how much they had learnt from preparing and competing. It was a great opportunity to meet the other students and be critiqued by practitioners. The topic of criminal law made it doubly interesting from an ethical perspective."
The overall winner of the 2013 National Canadian Client Consultation Competition was the team from Osgoode Hall, York University, and they will go on to represent Canada at the international competition in Glasgow, Scotland.
Client Consultation coach, Lynn Parish, thanked, on behalf of her team, the U of A Faculty of Law for the continuing support of the competition.
(l-r) Kerry Croft (3L), Lynn Parish (external advisor/coach), and Matthew Mowbrey (3MBA/JD)
Interviews with the U of A Faculty of Law's 2013 The 2013 National Canadian Client Consultation Competition team members, Kerry Croft (3L), and Matthew Mowbrey (3MBA/JD):
Matthew Mowbrey (3rd year of a 4-year MBA/JD degree)
1. Can you please describe your moot competition experience (leading up the actual moot competition and the actual competition itself)?
The experience was really engaging, with weekly practices. Lynn Parish was an amazing coach, and I improved my skills on how to communicate with clients. Particularly, how to ask the tough questions, the power of silence, and to quickly generate rapport with new clients.
2.a. What will take away from your moot competition experience/ What did you learn from the experience?
The soft skills of just being able to communicate person-to-person, is one of the most important skills any law student should embrace. I see huge improvements in myself, and as a result will enable me to become a more attractive articling student.
2.b. And how do you think you will use this learning experience in your future (education, career, etc. in the field of law (or outside the field of law))?
The ability to converse with people and assist them in disclosing their issues is a skill which will be beneficial in conversing with anyone. Family, friends, clients, staff - everyone! As a result, I see this experience having a great benefit regardless of my future career choices.
3.a. If you won your moot competition, please describe the feeling of winning your moot competition? 3.b. If you did not win, what did you take away from the moot competition experience?
That counselling is an art not a science. There are many different ways to engage with people, particularly in different fields of law. But that there are certain consistencies in demonstrating respect and understanding that are universal. Discovering my own method that I am most comfortable with was a great part of the process.
4. What advice would you offer to the next year's moot competition teams?
The law and law school are far more than just academic excellence. Apply yourself and engage in activities that put you outside your comfort level. Any moot will provide a great learning experience, as well as, feedback on becoming a better future lawyer.
Kerry Croft (3L)
1. Can you please describe your moot competition experience (leading up the actual moot competition and the actual competition itself)?
The Client Counselling Competition consists of a series of 30 minute interviews with potential clients. This year all interviews were regarding criminal matters. Matt and I were expected to communicate important facets of the lawyer / client relationship to the client and get a comprehensive accounting of their situation. We were also required to provide a cursory analysis of applicable legal and non-legal options and advise the client accordingly. It was necessary to be sympathetic to his or her emotional state and also to be alert to the possibility that he or she may be withholding relevant information. Sometimes we had to work hard to get the whole story.
Using the concepts gleaned from books provided by our adviser Lynn Parish, we developed our techniques during weekly practice sessions when fellow students pretended to be clients. We used those opportunities to develop our skills as we received much needed feedback from Lynn. It was like playing a serious game of psychological puzzle solving.
The competition in Kingston was an enlightening experience. Matt and I had the opportunity to respond to complex personalities and situations with little advance information. We faced each new challenge while 3 judges evaluated different aspects of our communication styles, teamwork, legal analysis and advice. The judges were supportive in providing feedback at the completion of each interview. It was not always easy to be told how we had failed to meet our objectives but we always benefited from learning where we could improve. Even though we were eliminated during the second round of the competition, the overall learning experience was outstanding.
I also want to express my sincere thanks to my partner Matthew Mowbrey, our supervisor Lynn Parish and the kind people who took time out of their busy schedules to act as clients during our practices. I am also grateful to the U of A Faculty of Law for facilitating this very worthwhile competition.
2.a. What will take away from your moot competition experience/ What did you learn from the experience?
This was a terrific opportunity to learn the importance of effective client relationship development while working as a team with my partner. I learned how better to identify and acknowledge the personal needs of clients while discerning the key elements of their anecdotes. Of particular value was an appreciation of the skills necessary to get a complete picture of the client's situation and objectives. I learned how to be more effective at listening, questioning and clarifying the various complex stories. I also developed a greater appreciation of how complex individual legal situations can be.
2.b. And how do you think you will use this learning experience in your future (education, career, etc. in the field of law (or outside the field of law))?
I am convinced that I have a more complete set of tools for communicating effectively with clients and colleagues. If I can just remember to apply what I've learned, all of my relationships should benefit, and although my legal analysis and advisory skills are nascent, I now have a great foundation to build on as I pursue my legal career. I hope to be better equipped to obtain and retain clients.
3.b. If you did not win, what did you take away from the moot competition experience?
It was great to be able to face the stresses provided by the competition in such a friendly and supportive setting. I learned that when I do make mistakes the results are not fatal; they are merely a painful reminder that I will always have opportunities to improve. I also learned that different judges can evaluate the same competitors very differently. Sometimes success is a matter of being in the right place at the right time in front of the right judge, but preparedness can never hurt.
4. What advice would you offer to the next year's moot competition teams?
Have fun! The competition is a great way to learn more about yourself and become a better person through better communication. Enjoy the ride as you challenge yourself and develop relationships with your partner, your supervisor, your clients and your fellow competitors. Discover new ways to listen to and understand the people you interact with. Plan, practice, and practice! This is the most fun "work" you're likely to enjoy during your time in academia.