Charleston Law hosts Transactional Law Derby

The Charleston School of Law and Joseph F. Rice School of Law at the University of South Carolina joined forces last month to hold the second annual Transactional Law Derby.

The event brought together law students from both schools to compete in drafting and negotiation challenges, showcasing practical skills in transactional law, a news release says.

Charleston Law students Frank Mancino and Rachel Synder-Mounts won the negotiation competition, while USC Law students Cameron Argoe and Abby Cundiff placed first in the drafting challenge.

Jean Steadman, associate professor and director of the Center for Business and Transactional Law, highlighted the importance of connecting legal doctrine to practice, especially for first-year students.

“The Derby is a perfect opportunity to expose students to how transactional law doctrine manifests itself in practical life,” Steadman said in the release. “Anytime we can take a first-year student and give them practical experience, it helps the lightbulb come on more quickly.”

A dozen teams, mostly composed of first-year law students, participated in the event, tackling two negotiation rounds and receiving feedback to refine their approach. Students appreciated the experience, saying it boosted their confidence and skills.

Quin Foster, president of Charleston Law’s Business Law Society, encouraged participants to trust their preparation.

“After the nerves settled, it was incredible to see their instincts take over and to witness them step up and show real skill at the negotiation table,” he said in the release.

Virginia Carroll, president of USC Law’s Business Law Association, observed significant growth between rounds.

“For a lot of 1Ls, this is their very first competition,” she said. “So, the first round, they get their nerves out and get feedback. Then you watch them make adjustments [and] come back for the second round with a little more confidence.”

The competition emphasized practical training, with students gaining exposure to skills often absent in traditional classes, the release says. Madison Nicole Whiting, a USC Law student, noted, “It’s a fantastic way to learn and get experience in transactional law.”

Steadman praised the event’s holistic approach, combining internal and external competitions with elective classes and boot camps to deepen students’ understanding of transactional law. “What we’re creating are more transactional law opportunities for students through internal competitions, external competitions, elective classes, and boot camps, which solidify doctrine and experience, all of these create a holistic approach to learning the law,” she said.

Participants also built connections, meeting peers, professors, and practicing attorneys. Steadman emphasized the collaborative spirit, calling the derby a “hugely successful event” with potential to expand further.