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Local middle school students—probably already well versed in the art of negotiating for less homework or a longer curfew—put these skills to use Monday in a mock negotiation workshop.
More than 50 students at Walker Mill Middle School in Capitol Heights participated in the workshop, held by the Just The Beginning Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit aimed at boosting minority interest in law.
Monday was not Walker Mill's first JTBF experience. Thirty students attended the JTBF Biennial Conference in September at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C., in which they played attorneys and witnesses in a mock trial demonstration.
"We want kids of all backgrounds to know that law is an option for them," program director Sam Finkelstein said. "That's why we start so young with the middle [school students]. What we're really trying to do is diversify the legal profession. They're way behind."
On Tuesday, students visited U.S. District Court Judge Ricardo M. Urbina, ate lunch at the Fried Frank Law Firm and toured the U.S. Supreme Court, where they met with U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts.
Finkelstein and executive director Pamela Lucas taught interest-based negotiation skills and "Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement" or BATNA skills. Interest-based negotiation focuses on why people want a certain deal, not just what they want. BATNA emphasizes being in the best position to get the most for yourself and a client. Students participated in three exercises.
One exercise, "The Ugli Orange," described a biologist who needed to buy thousands of Ugli oranges because vapor from its rinds neutralized deadly nerve gas. At the same time, a scientist needed Ugli oranges because its juices prevented disease and birth defects in pregnant women. Meanwhile, a fruit exporter had 3,000 Ugli oranges to sell. Both sides needed an agreement to benefit each.
Eighth-grader Jasmine Brown, 13, of Oxon Hill said she did not realize at first she needed the juice and her opponent needed the rinds and could not come to an agreement.
"It taught me when you read certain things you have to pay close attention because if you don't, you miss something," Jasmine said.
Finkelstein said the ideal goal was to get both sides to purchase the oranges together and use the necessary parts instead of arguing over who needed it more.
"They can team up to get oranges at half the cost but until they figure that out, they'll keep fighting," Finkelstein said.
Lucas said JTBF is piloting a one-week summer law program for middle school students to work on mock negotiations, writing skills and oral arguments. Principal Gorman Brown called Monday's workshop "outstanding." He hopes to start a pilot program at Walker Mill this summer.
"These help to foster children's critical thinking skills and problem solving skills," Brown said. "I really appreciate what's occurring here."
Eighth-grader Bryant Strange, 13, of Temple Hills said reading the scenario thoroughly is important, and shouting will never seal the deal.
"It's very important to have a certain level of diplomacy, saying ‘This is what I want, this is how much I'm willing to give,'" Bryant said.
Bryant sees himself as a lawyer. As a member of the Walker Mill Debate Team, Bryant said he commands a presence when he begins to speak.
"I'm not afraid to get loud or low or calm," Strange said. "I'm very good at controlling my anger but at the same time, getting angry."
E-mail Natalie McGill at nmcgill@gazette.net
