KU Law wraps up transactional law competition season with another first-place win
LAWRENCE — On March 30-31, two University of Kansas Law students competed in the William & Mary Colonial Cup Transactional Law Competition in Williamsburg, Virginia. Third-year law student Matthew Firnhaber, from Olathe, and second-year law student Amanda Brauninger, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, beat out teams from across the country, taking home the award for “best draft.” This win marks the 3rd first-place finish at a transactional law competition in as many months.
“My experience working collaboratively within a team environment was immensely rewarding,” said Brauninger. “I hope to represent KU Law in more transactional law competitions next year.”
Firnhaber and Brauninger were coached and supported by Dennis Schapker, a 1979 KU law graduate and former senior vice president at Black & Veatch Corporation.
“I credit our success to great teamwork and our excellent coach, Dennis Schapker,” Firnhaber said. “Neither Amanda nor I have ever had an experience like this before. Dennis was instrumental in guiding us through the process. I felt lucky to have Amanda as a partner; she’s not only hard-working and brilliant but also made the whole experience a lot of fun.”
This competition season has been an exceptionally successful one for KU Law. In January at Baylor University’s “The Closer” competition, third-year law student Abbey Brower won three out of four negotiation matchups. February and March saw first-place wins at the UCLA Transactional Law Competition and the Wayne State Taft Transactional Law Competition.
Student participation in these competitions is supported by the Polsinelli Transactional Law Center, a partnership between KU Law and Polsinelli, which also offers transactional law courses, symposia and other programming to arm students with the practical skills necessary for successful careers in transactional law.
“The Polsinelli Transactional Law Center has afforded me a unique opportunity to apply the skills we acquire at KU Law in practical, real-life situations,” Brauninger said. “Additionally, it has facilitated the expansion of my professional network, connecting me with future attorneys worldwide.”
Learn more about the transactional law programs at KU Law.