Eve Epstein '10 and Jeremiah Harvey '10 Win Client Counseling Competition
King Hall students Eve Epstein '10 and Jeremiah Harvey '10 won the American Bar Association's Law Student Regional Client Counseling Competition in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 13-14, bringing the Region 9 title to UC Davis School of Law for the first time in the Law School's history. Epstein and Harvey will advance to the National Client Counseling Competition in Waco, Texas to compete for the national title on March 18-20.
The Client Counseling Competition is designed to test the students' ability to instill confidence in their client that they understand the legal problem at hand, as well as their ability to counsel on both legal and extra-legal options. Epstein and Harvey assumed different but complimentary roles to address the dual nature of the competition.
"Our approaches to this competition were very different. I assumed the role of the counselor focusing on the client's emotional concerns so that we could develop a game plan that incorporated the client's non-legal options," said Epstein.
"While Eve focused on counseling, I focused on legal analysis and instilled the client with confidence that we could handle their case and get them the best resolution," said Harvey.
"As the final-round judges put it, we were the perfect combination of ‘empathy' and 'legal analysis'," said Epstein.
"Our balance, combined with great coaching and hard work paid off. We look forward to the National Competition," said Harvey.
Epstein and Harvey expressed thanks to their coach, Professor Donna Shestowsky, who spent "endless hours" preparing the team, giving feedback, and providing support. They also thanked Professors Rachana Shah and Lynn Starr, who provided feedback and advice, as well as King Hall students Jaclyn Smith ‘10, Jill Weinstein '11, Rachel Ray '11, Rebekah Barlow '10, Michael Buchfurer '11, Shannon Clawson '10, Allison Kephart '10, Jamie Kitano ‘09, and McGeorge School of Law students Diana Alvarado '11 and Marla Kurtz '11, who served as practice clients.