The Debate Tournament strengthens public speaking, argumentation, and communication skills essential to litigation and arbitration
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SubscribeCuatrecasas has concluded another edition of its Debate and Argumentation Tournament, designed to strengthen public speaking, argumentation, and communication skills among the firm’s junior lawyers. Participants are enrolled in the Mentor Plan, the firm’s mentoring program supporting lawyers at the start of their careers.
Through a debate format, the tournament develops skills essential to legal practice, from negotiating contracts to representing clients in litigation and arbitration.
The 140 lawyers from the Spanish and Latin American offices participating in this edition of the Mentor Plan completed a comprehensive training program. Activities included Communication Mastery, delivered by communication specialist Sebastián Lora, theoretical eLearning modules, and practical sessions in small groups. Through exercises and individual feedback, participants developed their argumentation skills, presence, and communicative impact.
Once training concluded, participants formed teams and the Debate Tournament began. During qualifying rounds in May, June, and September, the lawyers debated current issues, testing their argumentation, rebuttal, presentation, and time management skills. Partners from the firm served as judges and provided feedback to the teams.
After the qualifying rounds, the Mentor Plan training program culminated in the semifinals and final, held on October 20 and 21 in Santa Susana (Barcelona).
Following several high-caliber debates, the judging panel comprised of partners Sergio Agüera, Borja Álvarez, and Sonia Velasco selected the 2026 winning team. Sara Busschots, Kristel Marie Sonne, and Daniel Valderrama claimed the title, facing José M. Ascensor, Daniela Balduz, and Rodrigo León in the final. Lawyers Carlos Santos Fuentes, Simon Hakim Gnecco, Hamza Benjelloun Zahr, and Wendy Johanna Cerdeño Mendoza competed in the semifinals.
Reflecting on the experience, Sara Busschots said: “I really enjoyed sharing ideas, hearing different perspectives, and learning from others in such an enriching debate. The experience and teamwork were particularly rewarding.”
Fellow winning team member Kristel Marie Sonne added: “It was an exciting challenge that helped me improve my communication and argumentation skills. These are essential to analyzing and defending complex positions in legal practice.”
Daniel Valderrama said: “It was a challenging experience with plenty of learning opportunities, but above all, it was great fun.”
The firm’s senior partner, Luis Pérez de Ayala, delivered the closing remarks for this edition of the Debate Tournament. He highlighted ongoing training as a cornerstone of professional excellence, now more relevant than ever given the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Against this backdrop, he encouraged reflecting on the knowledge and capabilities needed in the future, emphasizing the value of skills such as public speaking. In his view, continuous learning is essential to developing sound criteria and confidently addressing the challenges of legal practice.
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