![UC Law students at the 2023 Diversity Case Competition](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2023/01/n21141769/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1674231910175.jpg)
University of Cincinnati College of Law students place first, second at case competition
Congratulations to the University of Cincinnati College of Law teams who took first and second place at the fifth annual Diversity Case Competition held January 13-14, 2023. Desianique Hamm and Marques Jones, first year law students, received first place honors, while Lilian Tapia Fernandez and Micaela Betham-Garcia, also first year students, took second place. Six teams from Cincinnati Law participated.
“We are very proud of our students and the hard work they put in during this competition. Their strong showing reflects not only their legal and counseling skills, but also the academic excellence of the program at Cincinnati Law,” said Denise Durbin, Assistant Dean, Center for Professional Development. “Programs like the case competition put a spotlight on the growing importance of diversity and inclusion within the legal industry. We’re happy to help lead the way in this endeavor.”
Desianique Hamm and Marques Jones, UC Law students and first place winners
Identifying new ways to address the lack of diversity in the legal profession is one of the reasons Cincinnati Law and local law firm Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK) partnered to create the nation’s first and only Law Student Diversity Case Competition. The case competition was born out of a talent identification strategy—an approach to amplify the diversity talent pipeline. Traditionally, legal employers use the “fit” interview when making hiring decisions and selection is often based on GPA and rank. The case competition allows participants to display the skills required to succeed in the workplace, giving prospective employers an idea about what they can do instead of just who they are.
Working in two-person teams, the students engaged in a simulated work experience based on a client issue delivered in a format that resembled the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), a skills assessment component of most jurisdictions’ bar exams.
By responding in real time to new information through simulated client and partner interaction, the students demonstrated skills left unmeasured in law school classes. Further, these simulations exposed them to the assignment process encountered in law firms. They also interacted with supervising attorneys and Fortune 500 corporate counsel and gained experience managing feedback.
Potential employers benefitted too by meeting and connecting with diverse talent they may never see through the traditional hiring process.
This year’s competition was comprised of 34 law students, making up 17 teams from six law schools in Ohio and Kentucky. Participating law schools included Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, the University of Akron School of Law, the University of Cincinnati College of Law, the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandies School of Law, and the University of Toledo College of Law.
Photos: Joseph Fuqua II
Related Stories
4 steps to craft an outstanding graduate program application
July 2, 2024
Derrya Mathis, a graduate of the pre-occupational therapy program, shares her insights and experiences on successfully applying to graduate school.
UC’s microchip training includes innovative VR
July 2, 2024
To build a virtual microchip factory, University of Cincinnati doctoral students turned to the real one where they work. UC launched a new training program for microchip manufacturing in advance of the new fabrication plant Intel Corp. is opening in Ohio.
University-wide Qualtrics license coming soon
July 2, 2024
The new university-wide Qualtrics license will provide current UC students, faculty, and staff members access to Qualtrics software, support, and technical assistance under a centralized license.
WalletHub: 5 best chip and pin credit cards
July 1, 2024
University of Cincinnati director discusses 5 best chip and pin credit cards with WalletHub
WVXU: Supreme Court temporarily blocks key air pollution regulations
July 1, 2024
University of Cincinnati law professor spoke with WVXU about recent Supreme Court decision to temporarily block key air pollution regulations.
Bridging creativity and commerce
July 1, 2024
At the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, Victoria Mrofchak stands out not just for her academic excellence but for her remarkable blend of creativity and business acumen. A fourth-year marketing major with a minor in management and fine arts, scholarships help Mrofchak shape her future at the intersection of art and commerce.
CCM students receive 16 award nominations from NATAS Ohio Valley Chapter
July 1, 2024
Students from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music received 16 Student Production Award nominations from the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
Meet UC’s Miss Ohio
July 1, 2024
UC biomedical science student Stephanie Finoti credits UC for helping to prepare her for the Miss Ohio Scholarship Pageant. She will represent Ohio in the national competition in January.
Slate: How the Supreme Court has shaped the US economy
June 28, 2024
University of Cincinnati law professor, Joseph Tomain, wrote a Slate editorial discussion how the Supreme Court has shaped the US economy.
Carnegie Foundation recognizes UC with Leadership for Public Purpose classification
June 24, 2024
UC part of inaugural group honored for focusing on developing students as leaders