Thompson and Holland Win 2022 Board of Advocates Negotiations Competition

School of Law

From left: Lexi Robertson, Ben Cameron, attorney Dequeshia Prude, the Hon. Shawn Womack, the Hon. Cyndi Thyer, John Thompson, Jacob Holland and Taylor King

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – First-year law student John Thompson and second-year law student Jacob Holland won the final round of the 2022 Board of Advocates Negotiations Competition on April 8. They competed against first-year students Lexi Robertson and Ben Cameron.

The competition, which took place in the E.J. Ball Courtroom and was also livestreamed, was hosted by University of Arkansas School of Law Board of Advocates.

The students advocated for their mock clients during negotiations for the creation of a business contract. They were judged by the Hon. Shawn Womack (J.D.'96), Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court; the Hon. Cindy Thyer (J.D.'95), Circuit Judge for Fourth Division of the 2nd Judicial District; and Dequeshia Prude, managing partner at Prude Legacy Law Group.

John Thompson receiving the Taylor King Best Negotiator Award from law school alumnus Taylor King.

Thompson also received the Taylor King Best Negotiator Award, which was presented by the firm's founder and School of Law alumnus Taylor King (J.D.'86). The Taylor King Negotiation Champion Reception was held immediately after the competition to celebrate the students. Taylor King Law Firm advocates for clients in the areas of car, truck, or motorcycle accidents; slip and fall injuries; nursing home abuse; wrongful death; traumatic brain injuries; defective product injuries; and social security disability claims.

The Negotiations Competition commenced with 18 teams and many solo competitors in the preliminary rounds each. Qualifying competitors moved to each successive event — Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four, and the Final Round — in a tournament-style competition.

"Watching the competitors grow individually and as teams as they advanced to each round was incredible to watch, and I am so proud of how well each of them did," said Katie Sparrow, co-chair of the Board of Advocates Negotiations Competition.

"I appreciated the time our honored judges gave to the competition, and I was particularly excited to see many of our previous graduates join us online to support our competing students," said Hannah Lundry, co-chair of the Board of Advocates Negotiations Competition. "Watching the competitors grow in confidence and adapt to the new challenges presented in each round was an incredible experience."

The 2022 Board of Advocates Negotiations Competition.

About the School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, which are taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, competitions, and food and agriculture initiatives. The school strives to identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on students, faculty, and staff members in an effort to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become President of the United States and Secretary of State, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follows us at @uarklaw.