Burgmann alumni Michelle Page and Freddie Gollan won the inaugural NLU-Delhi Herbert Smith Freehills International Negotiations Competition representing the ANU. Held between 12–14 September 2014 in New Delhi, India, Michelle and Freddie were hosted by the National Law University, Delhi, which also organised the event.
Freddie Gollan and Michelle Page wrote from New Delhi on the challenges they faced in this international competition and their unique relationship as former Burgmann Residential Advisors.
After advancing from the first two preliminary rounds of simulated negotiations, we went on to compete at the semis and then the grand final where we competed against Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar. The competition itself featured fourteen teams (in total) from various universities across India, including the National Law University, Delhi, as well as a team from the University of Cologne, Germany and The University of Cambridge, UK. What we had to do was play the role of 'lawyer' and 'client' in a series of live simulated legal negotiations. Our problem questions were complex and dealt with a number of legal and commercial issues. We found it pretty tough and were running on adrenaline the entire time!
Freddie and I have been friends since our first day at Burgmann in 2009, and went on to become RAs together on 2H in 2011. I think the fact that we know how each other 'work' together (so to speak) and our close friendship made it easier for us at the negotiation table because we knew how to work in a team.
It was incredible to travel to Delhi together and compete against teams from Europe and India. The experience taught us how to think on our feet and meet challenging situations with a logical and focused attitude. The experience was so challenging but very fun, and we are really excited to share the news with Burgmann.
We met the most beautiful and humble students, academic staff, leaders and firm sponsors at NLU-Delhi, who were so very kind to us during our stay. We want to make sure that we get the word out there about this amazing competition so that next year, the ANU (hopefully, it might be Burgmann law students again) can represent at the competition and experience what we had the fortune to do during our time there.
I've attached a photo of Freddie and I being awarded the winner's trophy by The Honourable Mr. Justice Surinder Singh Nijjar, a recently retired Justice of the Indian Supreme Court, the highest court in India.
The College congratulates Michelle and Freddie, who join our extraordinary list of academic achievers on the international stage.
