The ABA Law Student Division Client Counseling 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.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT
All competitors must be ABA Law Student Division members in good standing (i.e. dues paid in full for the current bar year—September 1 to August 31—by January 15, 2010), except that students from Canadian LSAC-member schools may participate for an incremental fee.

JOIN THE ABA
To join the American Bar Association and begin enjoying the benefits of membership for only $25, you may call 800.285.2221 or sign up online.

NOTE: Competitors who select the “Bill Me” option run the risk of disqualification if the ABA does not receive their Law Student dues by January 15, 2010.

COMPETITOR NAME AND ABA ID NUMBER DEADLINE
Using an online form provided for this purpose, schools must supply the Law Student Division with each team member's name and his or her ABA member identification number on or before January 15, 2010. This deadline will be strictly enforced.  No exceptions will be granted.  

2009-2010 COMPETITION TOPIC
White Collar Crime

TEAM COMPOSITION AND COMPETITION FORMAT
A team consists of two JD candidates attending the same ABA-approved law school (or Canadian LSAC-member law school) who conduct an interview with a person playing the role of the client. This includes eliciting facts, advising about the relevant law, providing options for proceeding, and assisting the client to make an informed choice.

The regional competition consists of three qualifying rounds with each team competing indirectly against two other teams in each round.  The teams are presented with a different client matter in each round. After the qualifying rounds, the top six teams advance to the semifinal round, culminating with the three winning teams in  the final round.

The first place team from each regional competition will advance to the National Finals. Additional invitations may be extended to create a multiple of three.

ENTRY FEES / REGIONAL ASSIGNMENTS
The entry fee for the school’s first team is $300.* If space is available, schools may enter a second team for $250.* The competition works best with a multiple of three teams at each regional competition. Payment for the school’s first team must arrive at the ABA by October 23, 2009. Schools will be notified about 10 days after the entry deadline whether they may send a second team to the regional competition—at the time the school receives its regional assignment. Payment for the additional team must arrive at the ABA within two weeks of notification.

*Canadian LSAC-member law schools must pay an incremental fee of $50 per team.

COMPETITION VIDEOS / PAST COMPETITION PROBLEMS
Videos capturing entire national championship rounds including the judges' evaluations are available for purchase. Two different products are available—one containing only the video and the other containing the video plus the complete regional and national problems, including applicable confidential information. Use these videos to help your team prepare for the competition or as a demonstration of effective techniques. Tell me more about purchasing Law Student Division Competition Videos

COMPETITION RULES
The competition rules and host school administrative guidelines / instructions are posted to the Competitors Page, which is a members-only page. Upon registration and payment of the entry fee, the URL for the Competitors Page is sent to the team contact and faculty adviser. If your school has entered the competition and paid the entry fee, please ask your school’s team contact and faculty adviser to provide you with the URL.

If you have specific questions about the competition rules, please contact the Law Student Division.

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The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) typically takes place the first or second weekend in March, August and November. The March and November dates can overlap some of the Law Student Division competition dates. Competitors who plan to take the MPRE should be aware of the potential for date conflicts in March and November. MPRE dates for 2010 are: March 6, August 6, and November 6.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), individuals traveling between U.S. and Canada, whether by land, see or air, may be required to present a passport or other approved travel document when crossing the border. This requirement primarily affects teams competing in Regions 1, 6, 8 and 12.

• U.S. Passport Information
• Canadian Passport Information

The highest ranking U.S. and Canadian teams from the ABA Law Student Division Client Counseling Competition are invited to compete at the International Client Counseling Competition, which usually takes place in April and is frequently held overseas. Competitors who expect to win the ABA Law Student Division National Competition are encouraged to have up-to-date passports.

• Arbitration Competition
• Client Counseling Competition
• National Appellate Advocacy Competition
• Negotiation Competition