The Society for Dispute Resolution (SDR) is a student organization dedicated to the emerging legal field known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). ADR is the blanket title given to the varied methods of resolving legal disputes outside the walls of a courthouse. The three most common forms of ADR are arbitration, negotiation, and mediation. SDR's members have diverse backgrounds and varied legal interests but all share a common understanding that many relationships quite often extend beyond legal disputes, and for that reason clients need an attorney who is versed in more than just the standard adversarial approach.

At Quinnipiac, SDR operates as both a student organization and as a competition team. As a student organization our goal is to create a forum for students who share a common interest in ADR and an appreciation of ADR's role in their future legal career. We also set out to inform the greater student body of the importance of ADR and its relevance to them and their careers. To meet these ends we host several events over the course of the school year. Our events, which are open to the entire student body, range from panel discussions with local leaders in the field to more intimate and less formal sessions with speakers hosting round table discussions. Our events are not only informative but also serve as good networking opportunities since students are given a chance to interact with real professionals in the field.

As a competition team, SDR participates in three ABA sponsored competitions throughout the school year; Negotiation, Client-Counseling, and Representation in Mediation. These competitions give our team members an opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to real world problems, as well as a chance to interact with other students and professionals. While all students are welcome to join SDR, the competition team members are selected from a school wide intramural competition, open to 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls, which is held at the start of the spring semester. Team members not only compete, they are also given ample opportunity to spar with other team members and observe practice rounds, as well as act as student coaches.

So, whether you are just looking for a student organization that will help you meet new people at QUSL or you are looking to be a part of an amazing competition team, SDR definitely has something for you.

During the Spring 2008 semester, the Society hosted the ABA Client Counseling Regional Competition and advanced to the national competition as well. They also won the ABA National Representation in Mediation Competition in the spring of 2008.

2009-2010 Executive Board:
President:  Abraham Hurdle
Vice President of Competitions:  Kara Hinesley
Vice President of Member Development:  Darren Pruslow
Treasurer:  Alison Slater