Straus Institute Student Team Earns Distinction at Global Mediation Competition in Paris

On February 4, three Straus students took the international stage at the 21st Annual ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition, representing both the Straus Institute and Pepperdine Caruso School of Law with excellence and professionalism. Tatiana Valente, Richard Dreier, and Charlotte “Charlie” Henderson spent an intensive and inspiring week competing among top student teams from around the world, and their dedication was recognized with the Award for Distinction in Mediation Plans.

Throughout the competition in Paris, the team engaged in high-level simulations, collaborated under pressure, and connected with peers and professionals from across the global mediation community.

For Dreier, the experience was both personally and professionally meaningful. He said, “It was a great pleasure to negotiate with Tatiana and Charlie and compete against and learn from students from India, Turkey, and New Zealand, as well as applying the skills I have learned at Straus. Meeting European mediation professionals in Paris was very insightful, especially as I prepare to return to Germany after graduation."

Valente reflected on the global perspective the competition provided. She commented, “The opportunity to engage with students from around the world while representing Pepperdine was both inspiring and rewarding. I’m grateful to our faculty mentors for their dedication to our preparation and to my teammates for the trust, support, and growth we shared throughout the competition. Applying what we’ve learned in our Straus classes in a real-world mediation context was an amazing experience."

Henderson emphasized the collaborative spirit and impact of the experience. She remarked, “Competing at the ICC Commercial Mediation Moot was a wonderful experience to test our Straus skills and collaborate with students from all over the world. A special thank-you is owed to our faculty mentors for dedicating their time to help us prepare and for their continued support while we were in Paris. I am so proud of my team for representing Pepperdine so strongly and for bringing home the special award for Distinction in the Mediation Plan!" 

The Straus Institute is incredibly proud of Dreier, Valente, and Henderson for their hard work, teamwork, and outstanding representation of the Straus Institute and Pepperdine Caruso Law on the world stage.