Students from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law represented the school’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program with distinction at the 2026 Counseling Creators: Influencers, Artists and Trendsetters Conference and Negotiation Competition, hosted by the University of Miami School of Law.
Cumberland’s team—third-year student Emgra Busambwa and second-year students Tyler Varnadore, McKenzie McCrory and Claire Staggs—was coached by alumna Tiffany Jones, JD ’19. Over the course of the weekend, the students delivered a strong performance in the negotiation rounds and earned praise for their professionalism, preparation and initiative.
Reflecting on the experience, Busambwa said, “Attending the Content Creators Counseling and Negotiation Competition was an amazing opportunity. I knew it would be challenging, but I didn’t anticipate how enjoyable it would be—from the negotiation rounds themselves to the riveting conversations with attorneys from major corporations. Competing alongside my teammates and with the support of our coach, we encouraged each other through both rounds. Our post-round debriefs were full of congratulations for the hard work we put in, as well as constructive critiques that helped us grow.”
Beyond the competition itself, the group fully engaged in the conference’s learning and networking opportunities. They sought out detailed feedback from judges, participated actively in panel discussions and built connections with attorneys and professionals from organizations such as social media giants TikTok and Meta. Their confidence, curiosity and commitment to growth left a strong impression on fellow participants and evaluators.
“The competition pushed me to think more creatively and strategically,” Busambwa added. “Judges didn’t just score us—they offered meaningful, thoughtful feedback. One attorney from Meta noted that my organization and client preparation were strong but encouraged me to build more rapport with the other side. Their insights helped expand my understanding of negotiation dynamics. The networking
opportunities were equally inspiring. Speaking with professionals from TikTok, Meta, Universal Music Group, FIFA, Formula 1 and many others opened my eyes to how legal practice is evolving alongside technology and culture. I left Miami grateful for the chance to represent Cumberland’s ADR program and for a team that showed dedication, tenacity and heart.”
Ben Warren, JD ’18, director of ADR teams at Cumberland, emphasized the broader value of these experiences.
“These competitions are far more than a weekend event,” Warren said. “They give our students experience practicing strategic thinking under pressure, while also creating meaningful opportunities to build relationships with practitioners and industry leaders. That combination of skill development and professional networking is invaluable to their growth as future attorneys.”
Cumberland’s ADR Program continues to earn national recognition for producing skilled, thoughtful advocates who excel in both competitive settings and the collaborative, problem‑solving environments that define modern legal practice. The program is currently ranked No. 6 in the nation among the American Bar Association’s top law school competition teams in arbitration, negotiation, client counseling, mediation and appellate advocacy.
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