Sümeyye İslamoğlu and Archita Nair, co-presidents of the recently formed Dispute Resolution Board at South Texas College of Law Houston, were invited to attend the American Arbitration Association’s Diverse Student ADR Summit Nov. 9-10 in New York City.
“Their selection was an incredible honor, and we are delighted they had the opportunity to participate in this valuable educational and relationship-building opportunity,” said Professor of Law Debra Berman, who directs South Texas Law’s Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution.
The students applied for the program through a rigorous process and received scholarships to cover the costs of the trip. In addition to providing their resume and statement of interest, they submitted a recommendation letter and an essay about the future of dispute resolution.
The conference focused on providing participants a roadmap to a career in dispute resolution and an in-depth understanding of what it really takes to become a successful arbitrator and/or mediator.
Presenters included experienced dispute resolution professionals, litigators, and in-house counsel from various backgrounds who have created their own successful pathways and avoided pitfalls that might derail them.
İslamoğlu and Nair enjoyed learning the importance of focusing on a specific industry, networking, connecting with mentors, gaining relevant experience, and building a good reputation in the field.
“The lectures were inspiring, and the entire summit was absolutely incredible,” Nair said. “It truly helped us gain insight on how to begin our careers.”
