All Competitions
Many of the following competitions have been completed, but are often repeated on an annual basis. Students are encouraged to check for updated deadlines.
Administrative Law
ADR
Animal Law
Antitrust Law
Business Law
Civil Practice and Procedure & Trial Advocacy
Commercial Law
Constitutional Law
Consumer Law
Criminal Law & Procedure
Disability Law
Elder Law
Environmental Law
Evidence Law
Family Law
Gellhorn-Sargentich Law Student Essay Competition
Topic: Discuss a problem or issue relating to presidential control of agency rulemaking.
Award: $500 cash prize and round-trip airfare and accommodation to attend the Section’s Fall Conference in Washington, DC. At the discretion of the editorial board, the winning entry will be selected for publication in Administrative and Regulatory Law News.
Deadline: March 31, 2009
Jaes Boskey ADR Writing Competition (Dispute Resolution)
Topic: any aspect of dispute resolution practice, theory or research
Award: $1000 in each of two divisions, Law Student or Masters/Doctoral Student. The first prize winners will also receive an invitation to publish in The Journal of American Arbitration or The World Arbitration and Mediation Report
Deadline: June 15, 2009
New York State Bar Association Special Committee on Animals and the Law Student Writing Competition
Topic: any area of animal law
Award: $500.00 cash prize as well as consideration of her paper for publication
Deadline: June 15, 2009
ABA Section of Antitrust Law Student Writing Competition
Topic: Antitrust
Award: all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to receive prize during the ABA Section of Antitrust Law's Spring Meeting
Deadline: January 30, 2009
William E. Swope Antitrust Writing Prize
Topic: application of practical analysis to antitrust problems
Award: One $10,000 prize and two $1,500 honorable mention prizes will be awarded. Winners will attend the 2009 Spring Meeting of the American Bar Association Antitrust Section in Washington as guests of Jones Day and will be guests of honor at a Firm reception.
Deadline: December 31, 2008
ABA Section of Antitrust Law Student Writing Competition
Topic: Antitrust
Award: all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to receive prize during the ABA Section of Antitrust Law's Spring Meeting
Deadline: January 30, 2009
ABA Section of Business Law's Mendes Hershman Student Writing Contest
Topic: business law subject of general and current interest
Award: First Place: $2,500 to the first place winner to be presented at the Section of Business Law Spring Meeting in Vancouver, BC.
Second Place: $1,000 to the second place winner to be presented at the Section of Business Law Spring Meeting in Vancouver, BC.
Third Place: $500 to the third place winner to be presented at the Section of Business Law Spring Meeting in Vancouver, BC.
Deadline: January 9, 2009
ABA Section of Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Writing Contest
Topic: real property and trust and estate law subjects of general and current interest
Award: first-place winner will receive $1,500 cash, a one-year free membership to the Section (valued at $50), and free round-trip airfare and weekend accommodations to attend the Section’s Fall Leadership Meeting. In addition, the essay will be considered for publication in a future issue of the Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Journal. The second-place winner will receive $700 cash, and the third-place winner will receive $500 cash.
Deadline: June 19, 2009
American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers
Topic: student case note or comment on a topic dealing with consumer financial services law
Award: cash payments of $2500, $2000, and $1000, respectively, a Certificate of Recognition from the College, and travel expenses to attend the Spring 2009 meeting of the College.
Deadline: December 1, 2008
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition
Topic: trusts and estates, broadly defined
Award: 1st Prize: $ 5,000 and publication in the ACTEC Journal .
2d Prize: $ 3,000, online publication on ACTEC’s website, and possible publication in the ACTEC Journal .
3d Prize: $ 1,000, online publication on ACTEC’s website, and possible publication in the ACTEC Journal .
Deadline: June 2, 2010.
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition (2nd and 3rd year only)
Topic: Any aspect of Copyright Law
Award: A first prize of $600 and a second prize of $250 at each participating law school
Deadline: June 30, 2010
American Tax Policy Institute - The Tannenwald Writing Competition
Topic: any U.S. federal or state tax-related topic
Award: Cash prizes of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500 for the top three papers
Deadline: 9:00 p.m. EST, July 1, 2009
Andrew P. Vance Memorial Writing Competition (customs and international trade law)
Topic: An in-depth analysis of a current issue relevant to customs and international trade law
Award: $1000.00 first prize
$500.00 second prize
Awards will be presented at the CITBA's semi-annual dinner in the fall
Deadline: May 16, 2008
ASECA Securities Law Writing Competition
Topic: any subject in the field of securities law
Award: First place is $5,000; second place is $3,000; and third place is $2,000
Deadline: November 15, 2008
Elliot A. Spoon Business Law Writing Competition
Topic: Submit a journal style article on a current topic concerning business and/or securities law. Submissions should be fully researched with correct citations and sent via email in Microsoft Word format.
Award: $500 cash & Article Published
Deadline: March 14, 2009
FBA Section of Taxation Writing Competition
Topic: Students may submit any original, unpublished, paper concerning federal income taxation.
Award: First Prize: $2,000 and a trip to the FBA’s Annual Tax Law Conference in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2010 (value not to exceed $700), where the First Place winner will be presented with a Commemorative Plaque and complimentary one-year membership in the Federal Bar
Association Section on Taxation
Second Prize: $1,000; A Commemorative Plaque;
Both the First Place and Second Place papers may be published in the Federal Bar Association Section on Taxation Report.
Deadline: January 15, 2010
The Grammy Foundation Legal Writing Contest
Topic: research and identify a compelling legal issue confronting the music industry, and propose a solution
Award: $5,000 for first place and $1,500 for each of four runners-up. All five finalists receive one GRAMMY Awards ticket, hotel accommodations, round trip airfare, one ticket to the Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon, one ticket to MusiCares Person of the Year dinner, and an invitation to the GRAMMY Nominee Reception.
Deadline: January 2, 2009
International Association of Gaming Advisors Shannon Bybee Scholarship Award
Topic: subject in the field of gaming law
Award: $1,000 award
Deadline: July 20, 2009
James Baker Hughes Prize in International Economic Law (Houston Journal of International Law)
Topic: all legal aspects of economic relations, from private business matters to international trade conflicts
Award: $500 cash award and the winning submission will be published as the "James Baker Hughes Prize" article in an upcoming issue of the Journal.
Deadline: March 9, 2009
Trandafir International Business Writing Competition
Topic: Any topic of contemporary international business or economic concern with a legal nexus
Award: Publication and a cash prize of $2,000
Deadline: February 1, 2010
William E. Swope Antitrust Writing Prize
Topic: application of practical analysis to antitrust problems
Award: One $10,000 prize and two $1,500 honorable mention prizes will be awarded. Winners will attend the 2009 Spring Meeting of the American Bar Association Antitrust Section in Washington as guests of Jones Day and will be guests of honor at a Firm reception.
Deadline: December 31, 2008
Civil Practice and Procedure and Trial Advocacy
American Academy of Appellate Lawyers' Eisenberg Prize
Topic: article on appellate practice and procedure
Award: $2,000
Deadline: July 17, 2009
American College of Trial Lawyers Writing Competitions
Beverly C. Moore Jr. Memorial Student Writing Competition
Topic: Any in-depth analysis of a current issue relevant to class action law will be considered
Award: publication in Class Action Reports
Deadline: December 1, 2008
International Association of Defense Counsel Legal Writing Contest
Topic: tort law, insurance law, civil procedure, evidence or other areas of the law of practical concern to lawyers engaged in the defense or management of the defense of civil litigation
Award: First Place- US$2,000 and plaque
Second Place- US$1,000 and plaque
Third Place- US$500 and plaque
Honorable Mention- Plaque
Deadline: May 15, 2009
Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section Writing Competition
Topic: a current topic in a legal area covered by one of the Section’s substantive law committees
Award: First place- $1,500 and consideration for publication in Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section Law Journal
Second place- $500
Deadline: March 2, 2009
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws William J. Pierce Writing Contest
Topic: Any article, note, or comment that addresses a uniform or model act, or an issue arising from a uniform or model act promulgated by ULC may be eligible.
Award: $1,000
Deadline: December 31, 2008
ELI-ABA-NAELS "Endangered Environmental Laws" Student Writing Competition
Topic: Any topic addressing recent developments or trends in U.S. environmental law that have a significant constitutional or “federalism” component
Award: $2000 cash prize and an offer of publication in the Environmental Law Reporter
Deadline: 5:00 PM ET on April 6, 2009
Gellhorn-Sargentich Law Student Essay Competition (Must be a member of the ABA Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice)
Topic: Discuss a problem or issue arising at the intersection of constitutional and administrative law, federal or state
Award: The winner will receive a $500 cash prize and round-trip airfare and accommodation to attend the Section’s Fall Conference in Washington, DC. At the discretion of the editorial board, the winning entry will be selected for publication in Administrative and Regulatory Law News.
Deadline: March 31, 2009
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Writing Contests
Topic: The Right of the Individual to Keep and Bear Arms as a Federally Protected Right.
Award: Scholarship prizes will be awarded to First, Second, Third and Fourth place winners in the amounts of $5,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000
Deadline: June 1, 2009
Third Year Contest
Topic: articles on the constitutional right to keep and bear arms
Award: First place: $12,500 toward tuition; Second place: $5,000; Third Place: $2,500.
Deadline: June 1, 2009
Pacific Legal Foundation Judicial Awareness Student Writing Competition
Topic: I. Write an essay on a topic of your choice concerning the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment: "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without payment of just compensation."
II. Write an essay on a topic of your choice concerning the use of the precautionary principle in formulating environmental policy.
III. Write an essay on a topic of your choice concerning the use of racial categories in the admission or assignment of students in state-funded educational institutions.
Award: First place- $3,000
Runner-up- $1,500
Deadline: May 31, 2009
Sarah Weddington Writing Prize for New Student Scholarship in Reproductive Rights Law
Topic: issues or occasions of reproductive coercion or oppression: the political, social, legal, and economic forces that limit or control the reproductive options of individuals and communities
Award: $750 (1st place) or $250 (2nd place), get published on LSRJ’s website, and perhaps be invited to present their papers at conferences
Deadline: March 2, 2009
American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers
Topic: student case note or comment on a topic dealing with consumer financial services law
Award: cash payments of $2500, $2000, and $1000, respectively, a Certificate of Recognition from the College, and travel expenses to attend the Spring 2009 meeting of the College.
Deadline: December 1, 2008
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws William J. Pierce Writing Contest
Topic: Any article, note, or comment that addresses a uniform or model act, or an issue arising from a uniform or model act promulgated by ULC may be eligible.
Award: $1,000
Deadline: December 31, 2008
William W. Greenhalgh Writing Competition (Criminal Justice) (Must be a member of the American Bar Association)
Topic: Any timely and important issue of American criminal constitutional procedure of interest to practitioners of criminal law.
Award: $2,000 cash prize, and round-trip airfare and accommodations to attend the Criminal Justice Section's Annual Meeting Luncheon and possible publication in Criminal Justice Magazine.
Deadline: April 24, 2009
Adam A. Milani Disability Law Writing Competition
Topic: any aspect of disability law, theory, or practice the contestant chooses
Award: First Prize will range between $300 and $1,000, depending on whether multiple awards are given. The name of the winner(s) in each category will be posted online at the Mercer University School of Law website.
Deadline: June 6, 2009
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Student Journal Writing Competition
Topic: any topic related to the intersection of law and aging, elder or disability planning
Award: The winner will be honored at the Fall 2008 NAELA Institute in Kansas City, MO and, in addition to the $1,500 cash award, will receive up to $1,000 for travel and meeting related expenses. The second place winner receives $1,000 cash, and the third place winner receives $500 cash.
Deadline: June 1, 2009
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Student Journal Writing Competition
Topic: any topic related to the intersection of law and aging, elder or disability planning
Award: The winner will be honored at the Fall 2008 NAELA Institute in Kansas City, MO and, in addition to the $1,500 cash award, will receive up to $1,000 for travel and meeting related expenses. The second place winner receives $1,000 cash, and the third place winner receives $500 cash.
Deadline: June 1, 2009
26th Annual Smith-Babcock-Williams Student Writing Competition
Topic: Entries should demonstrate original thought on a question of significance in either planning or areas germane to planning (eg. land use, local government or environmental law).
Award: The winning entry will be awarded a prize of $2500 and will be submitted for publication in The Urban Lawyer, the law journal of the ABA Section on State and Local Government.
Deadline: June 8, 2009
ELI-ABA-NAELS "Endangered Environmental Laws" Student Writing Competition
Topic: Any topic addressing recent developments or trends in U.S. environmental law that have a significant constitutional or “federalism” component
Award: $2000 cash prize and an offer of publication in the Environmental Law Reporter
Deadline: 5:00 PM ET on April 6, 2009
Environment, Energy & Resources Writing Competition
Topic: development trends, current court decisions, legislative initiatives, and statutes concerning environmental, natural resources, and energy law
Award: publication
Deadline: February 8, 2008
Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements
Topic: design of international climate policy architectures. Papers should propose a complete policy framework to succeed the Kyoto Protocol in the post-2012 period.
Award: $3,000 per paper. The Harvard Project will publish the winning paper through the Project’s Working Paper Series and website
Deadline: July 1, 2008
NYU Environmental Law Journal Student Writing Contest
Topic: An environmental law issue of current national or international significance. "Environmental law issue" will be broadly defined.
Award: $1000 and publication in the NYU Environmental Law Journal
Deadline: December 5, 2009
Ohio State Bar Association Environmental Law Award
Topic: Any topic that advances the application and practice of environmental, energy or resources law in the State of Ohio.
Award: $1,000
Deadline: January 31, 2010
Pacific Legal Foundation Judicial Awareness Student Writing Competition
Topic: I. Write an essay on a topic of your choice concerning the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment: "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without payment of just compensation."
II. Write an essay on a topic of your choice concerning the use of the precautionary principle in formulating environmental policy.
III. Write an essay on a topic of your choice concerning the use of racial categories in the admission or assignment of students in state-funded educational institutions.
Award: First place- $3,000
Runner-up- $1,500
Deadline: May 31, 2009
Roscoe Hogan Environmental Law Essay Contest
Topic: Can Coal Be Clean? Litigation Remedies for Coal Contamination from Mining to Combustion to Sequestration.
Award: $5,000 Cash Prize; recognition in the Public Justice newsletter and on the website; publication of the essay in the Vermont Law School’s online Journal of Environmental Law; and a free Public Justice Foundation membership for the Contest Year.
Deadline: Intent-to-enter form: January 29, 2010. Essay submission: March 31, 2010.
International Association of Defense Counsel Legal Writing Contest
Topic: tort law, insurance law, civil procedure, evidence or other areas of the law of practical concern to lawyers engaged in the defense or management of the defense of civil litigation
Award: First Place- US$2,000 and plaque
Second Place- US$1,000 and plaque
Third Place- US$500 and plaque
Honorable Mention- Plaque
Deadline: May 15, 2009
Bert W. Levit Essay Contest
Topic: The “At Issue Doctrine” Relating to Waiver of Attorney Client Privilege” --Hypothetical Provided
Award: $5000
Deadline: February 20, 2009
ABA Commission on Domestic Violence Writing Competition
Topic: domestic violence and the law from a national or international perspective
Award: 1st Place: Publication in the National Association of Women Lawyers’ Women Lawyers Journal. Resolution from the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence and $750 2nd Place: Resolution from the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence and $500
3rd Place: Resolution from the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence and $250
Deadline: March 28, 2008
ABA Section of Family Law - Howard C. Schwab Memorial Essay Contest (2nd or 3rd year only)
Topic: any aspect of family law
Award: First Place
* Certificate of Recognition as First-Place Winner
* Consideration of essay's publication in Family Law Quarterly
* Consideration of essay's publication on the ABA Section of Family Law website
* Letter to Law School Dean
* One-year complimentary ABA Section of Family Law membership
Second Place
* Certificate of Recognition as Second-Place Winner
* Consideration of essay's publication on the ABA Section of Family Law website
* Letter to Law School Dean
* One-year complimentary ABA Section of Family Law membership
Third Place
* Certificate of Recognition as Third-Place Winner
* Consideration of essay's publication on the ABA Section of Family Law website
* Letter to Law School Dean
* One-year complimentary ABA Section of Family Law membership
Deadline: May 2009
Embryo Donation and Adoption Awareness Campaign Essay Competition
Topic: Write a scholarly position paper in response to a problem presented regarding embryo donation/adoption
Award: 1st Place: $ 2,500.00
2nd Place: $ 1,500.00
3rd Place: $1,000.00
Deadline: Monday, February 1, 2010, 5:00 pm PST
Hofstra Family Law Writing Competition
Topic: any area of family law, although topics which focus on international or interdisciplinary subjects of family law are especially encouraged
Award: First Prize
• $500 cash prize
• Certificate of Recognition as First Place Winner
• Consideration for publication of the article in the Family Court Review
• Letter to the Dean of the student’s law school
• One-year complimentary AFCC student membership
Honorable Mention (up to 2)
• $250 cash
• Consideration for publication of the article in the Family Court Review
Deadline: May 15, 2006
National Advocates for Pregnant Women Writing Competition
Topic: 1. asks for a critical analysis of the absence of birthing rights issues from gender discrimination and feminist jurisprudence textbooks and curricula. 2. asks students to develop legal theories that can be used to challenge policies banning pregnant women from having a vaginal birth after a prior caesarean section (VBAC).
Award: $1,000 FIRST PRIZE
$500 AND $250 FOR RUNNERS-UP
Deadline: May 31, 2009, noon EST
National Association of Counsel for Children Law Student Essay Competition
Topic: Topics of national interest advancing the legal interests of children
Award: $1,000, a one-year NACC membership and a scholarship to the Conference
Deadline: June 12, 2009
The Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law, and Justice Writing Award
Topic: examine the intersection of gender with one or more other axes of subordination including, but not limited to, race, class, sexual orientation, and disability
Award: publication and $500
Deadline: November 1, 2006
The Dukeminier Awards Best Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law Review Articles
Topic: a cutting-edge legal issue affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender communities
Award: a monetary prize and publication in The Dukeminier Awards: Best Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law Review Articles of 2008
Deadline: January 3, 2009
The National Lesbian & Gay Law Association Michael Greenberg Student Writing Competition
Topic: A cutting edge legal issue affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Intersex community
Award: First Place
* $3,000 scholarship
* Publication in the Journal of Law and Sexuality at Tulane University Law School
* Registration, airfare & lodging for Lavender Law
First Runner-up
* $2,000 scholarship
* Registration, airfare & lodging for Lavender Law
Second Runner-up
* $1,000 scholarship
* Registration, airfare & lodging for Lavender Law
Deadline: June 1, 2009
The American College of Legal Medicine's Hoffman Bioethics Student Writing Competition
Topic: any ethical issues arising specifically within the health care arena in the 21st century
Award: 1st Prize – $1,000
2nd Prize – $500
3rd Prize – $250
Deadline: January 9, 2009
Annual Bioethics Network of Ohio Student Case Analysis Competition
Topic: This case analysis essay competition is sponsored by BENO to stimulate the interest and education of students from multiple disciplines in applying principles of bioethics in healthcare.Essays must be written in response to the case study provided and are limited to 1000 words. Participants are encouraged to address various ethical principles and concepts relevant to the case.
Award: First place, $500; Second, $300; Third, $200.
Deadline: March 13, 2009
Epstein Becker & Green Health Law Writing Competition
Topic: an issue relating to health law. Papers may address traditional areas of the law as applied to the health field (e.g., antitrust, tax, corporate), or areas of law unique to health care (e.g., fraud and abuse, managed care, Medicare/Medicaid, clinical trials)
Award: First Place: $4,000
Second Place: $2,000
Third Place: $500
Deadline: Expired - Details for the next Health Law Writing Competition will be posted in the Fall of 2009.
Food and Drug Law Institute's H. Thomas Austern Memorial Writing Competitions
Topic: in-depth analysis of a current legal issue relevant to the regulation of foods, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and biologics
Award: 1st place: $1,500
2nd place: $1,000
Deadline: June 12, 2009
Gellhorn-Sargentich Law Student Essay Competition (Must be a member of the ABA Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice)
Topic: Discuss a problem or issue arising at the intersection of constitutional and administrative law, federal or state
Award: The winner will receive a $500 cash prize and round-trip airfare and accommodation to attend the Section’s Fall Conference in Washington, DC. At the discretion of the editorial board, the winning entry will be selected for publication in Administrative and Regulatory Law News.
Deadline: March 31, 2009
Health Law Section of the American Bar Association Annual Writing Competition
Topic: any aspect of health law
Award: publication in The Health Lawyer; a $500 honorarium, and airfare (at ABA rates), hotel for two nights and a $50 per diem for two days to attend the Emerging Issues conference.
Deadline: 12:00 p.m. central on December 5, 2008
National Center for Nonsmokers' Rights Legal Research and Writing Competition
Topic: new ideas for using a legal or law-related action (e.g., a novel law suit, administrative action, legislative approach, guide or assistance to others to sue, etc.) designed to be particularly effective in advancing and/or protecting the rights of nonsmokers, primarily by protecting them from exposure to tobacco smoke pollution.
Award: $5,000 for First Place, $3,000 for Second Place, and $1,000 for Third Place
Deadline: May 1, 2009
Student Writing Competition in Legal Medicine/Letourneau Award
Topic: any aspect of Legal Medicine, including medical licensure and regulation of the profession, business aspects of medical practice, liability of physicians, hospitals, managed care organizations, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, public health law, the physician-patient relationship, care of special patients, food and drug law, medical research, forensic science and the history of legal medicine.
Award: $1,000, consideration for publication in the Journal of Legal Medicine or other medical legal publications
Deadline: January 9, 2009
American Indian Law Review Writing Competition
Topic: any issue concerning American Indian Law
Award: First Place - $1,000 and publication of paper in the American Indian Law Review, an official periodical of the University of Oklahoma College of Law with international distribution. Second place - $500. Third place -$250. The three winning authors will receive Felix S. Cohen 's Handbook of Federal Indian Law, provided by LEXIS.
Deadline: January 31, 2009
National Native American Law Students Association (Must be a member of the NNALSA) Topic: a topic of national or international importance to Indians, tribal governments, or indigenous peoples consistent with the NNALSA Mission Statement
Award: First prize shall be at least $2,000, plus publication in an official law journal chosen by the host school. Second prize shall be at least $1,000, and third prize shall be at least $500.
Deadline: January 31, 2009
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition (2nd and 3rd year only)
Topic: Any aspect of Copyright Law
Award: A first prize of $600 and a second prize of $250 at each participating law school
Deadline: Winning papers must be certified to the Society no later than June 30, 2010
The Grammy Foundation Legal Writing Contest
Topic: research and identify a compelling legal issue confronting the music industry, and propose a solution
Award: $5,000 for first place and $1,500 for each of four runners-up. All five finalists receive one GRAMMY Awards ticket, hotel accommodations, round trip airfare, one ticket to the Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon, one ticket to MusiCares Person of the Year dinner, and an invitation to the GRAMMY Nominee Reception.
Deadline: January 2, 2009
IDEA Student Intellectual Property Writing Competition
Topic: domestic and international patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition, licensing, technology transfer, and other intellectual property issues
Award: * 1st prize - $500 and publication in IDEA;
* 2nd prize - $200; and
* 3rd prize - A one-year subscription to IDEA.
Deadline: April 10, 2009
International Trademark Association Ladas Memorial Award
Topic: trademark law or a matter that directly relates to or affects trademarks
Award: See website
Deadline: January 16, 2009
Albert S. Pergam International Law Writing Competition Award
Topic: areas of public or private international law
Award: $2,000 and publication of the article
Deadline: December 4, 2009
American Immigration Law Foundation's Edward L. Dubroff Memorial Writing Contest
Topic: any aspect of U.S. immigration and nationality law
Award: $1,000
Deadline: March 12, 2007
Andrew P. Vance Memorial Writing Competition (customs and international trade law)
Topic: An in-depth analysis of a current issue relevant to customs and international trade law
Award: $1000.00 first prize
$500.00 second prize
Awards will be presented at the CITBA's semi-annual dinner in the fall
Deadline: May 16, 2008
Asylum and Refugee Law National Moot Court Competition
Topic: See website
Award: cash prizes and awards
Deadline: January 15, 2009
Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements
Topic: design of international climate policy architectures. Papers should propose a complete policy framework to succeed the Kyoto Protocol in the post-2012 period.
Award: $3,000 per paper. The Harvard Project will publish the winning paper through the Project’s Working Paper Series and website
Deadline: January, 2009
Hofstra Family Law Writing Competiition
Topic: any area of family law, although topics which focus on international or interdisciplinary subjects of family law are especially encouraged
Award: First Prize
• $500 cash prize
• Certificate of Recognition as First Place Winner
• Consideration for publication of the article in the Family Court Review
• Letter to the Dean of the student’s law school
• One-year complimentary AFCC student membership
Honorable Mention (up to 2)
• $250 cash
• Consideration for publication of the article in the Family Court Review
Deadline: May 15, 2009
Inter-American Bar Association Award
Topic: See website
Award: First Prize- US$800.00
Second Prize- US$600.00
Third Prize- US$400.00
Deadline: April 20, 2008
The International Law Section of the State Bar of California Writing Competition
Topic: any subject that would be of interest to an international law practitioner
Award: First Place Prize: $2,000.00
Second Place Prize: $750.00
Third Place Prize: $250.00
Deadline: November 1, 2008
James Baker Hughes Prize
Topic: all legal aspects of economic relations, from private business matters to international trade conflicts
Award: $500 cash award and the winning submission will be published as the "James Baker Hughes Prize" article in an upcoming issue of the Journal.
Deadline: March 9, 2009
Trandafir International Business Writing Competition
Topic: Any topic of contemporary international business or economic concern with a legal nexus
Award: Publication and a cash prize of $2,000
Deadline: February 1, 2010
Washington Foreign Law Society Ibrahim Shihata Prize
Topic: For outstanding student writing on Islamic law and related legal developments in the Muslim World
Award: $2,500
Deadline: May 7, 2008
ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law - Labor Lawyer Student Writing Contest
Topic: any topic in the field of labor and employment law
Award: publication in The Labor Lawyer
Deadline: August 3, 2009
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers Writing Competition
Topic: any aspect of public or private labor or employment law
Award: First prize - $1,500.00
Second prize - $1,000.00
Third prize - $500.00
Deadline: May 15, 2009
Louis Jackson National Student Writing Competition in Employment and Labor Law
Topic: any topic relating to the law governing the workplace, such as employment law, labor law, employee benefits, or employment discrimination
Award: $3,000 and two $1,000 awards will be presented to the top three entries
Deadline: January 20, 2009
Legal Ethics & Professionalism
The Warren E. Burger Prize (ethics and professionalism), American Inns of Court
Topic: one or more aspects of legal excellence, civility, ethics or professionalism within the legal profession
Award: $5,000 and the winning essay will be published in the South Carolina Law Review
Deadline: June 15, 2009. Submission information for the 2010 contest is to be posted by December, 2009.
Morris L.Cohen Student Essay Competition
Topic: Any topic related to legal history, rare law books, or legal archives
Award: $ 500 prize and up to $1000 towards expenses associated with attendance at the Annual Meeting of American Association of Law Libraries
Deadline: April 15, 2009
26th Annual Smith-Babcock-Williams Student Writing Competition
Topic: Entries should demonstrate original thought on a question of significance in either planning or areas germane to planning (eg. land use, local government or environmental law).
Award: The winning entry will be awarded a prize of $2500 and will be submitted for publication in The Urban Lawyer, the law journal of the ABA Section on State and Local Government.
Deadline: June 8, 2009
ABA Section of Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Writing Contest
Topic: real property and trust and estate law subjects of general and current interest
Award: first-place winner will receive $1,500 cash, a one-year free membership to the Section (valued at $50), and free round-trip airfare and weekend accommodations to attend the Section’s Fall Leadership Meeting. In addition, the essay will be considered for publication in a future issue of the Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Journal. The second-place winner will receive $700 cash, and the third-place winner will receive $500 cash.
Deadline: June 19, 2009
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition
Topic: trusts and estates, broadly defined
Award: 1st Prize: $ 5,000 and publication in the ACTEC Journal .
2d Prize: $ 3,000, online publication on ACTEC’s website, and possible publication in the ACTEC Journal .
3d Prize: $ 1,000, online publication on ACTEC’s website, and possible publication in the ACTEC Journal .
Deadline: June 1, 2010
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws William J. Pierce Writing Contest
Topic: Any article, note, or comment that addresses a uniform or model act, or an issue arising from a uniform or model act promulgated by ULC may be eligible.
Award: $1,000
Deadline: December 31, 2008
State and Local Government Law
26th Annual Smith-Babcock-Williams Student Writing Competition
Topic: Entries should demonstrate original thought on a question of significance in either planning or areas germane to planning (eg. land use, local government or environmental law).
Award: The winning entry will be awarded a prize of $2500 and will be submitted for publication in The Urban Lawyer, the law journal of the ABA Section on State and Local Government.
Deadline: June 8, 2009
American Tax Policy Institute - The Tannenwald Writing Competition
Topic: any U.S. federal or state tax-related topic
Award: Cash prizes of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500 for the top three papers
Deadline: 9:00 p.m. EST, July 1, 2009
FBA Section of Taxation Writing Competition
Topic: Students may submit any original, unpublished, paper concerning federal income taxation.
Award: First Prize: $2,000 and a trip to the FBA’s Annual Tax Law Conference in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2010 (value not to exceed $700), where the First Place winner will be presented with a Commemorative Plaque and complimentary one-year membership in the Federal Bar
Association Section on Taxation
Second Prize: $1,000; A Commemorative Plaque;
Both the First Place and Second Place papers may be published in the Federal Bar Association Section on Taxation Report.
Deadline: January 15, 2010
ABA Section of Science & Technology Law student writing competition
Topic: TBA
Award: The winner will receive airfare and two nights’ hotel accommodations to attend the ABA Annual Meeting, and a complimentary registration and luncheon ticket.
# The winner will receive public recognition for the winning paper at the Section luncheon at the ABA Annual Meeting.
# Honorable mention submissions, at the discretion of the judges, will be published in e-BLAST and posted on the Section’s Website.
# The winner will be recognized in The SciTech Lawyer.
# The winning submissions may be published in The SciTech Lawyer, subject to compliance with The SciTech Lawyer submission guidelines.
Deadline: April 1 of each year
Berkeley Technology Law Journal Writing Competition
Topic: a wide variety of topics at the intersection of law and technology, including but not limited to: intellectual property, antitrust, First Amendment, entertainment and new media, telecommunications, biotechnology, internet, and cybercrime
Award: $2,000. The winning article will also be published in the Fall issue
Deadline: February, 2010
International Technology Law Association Writing Competition
Topic: any tech law issue
Award: invitation to present his or her paper at the next ITechLaw conference that is geographically closest to the student's location. The award includes:
• transportation to the conference (discount coach plane, train or other mode as decided by ITechLaw);
• two nights of hotel expense (incidentals such as meals and airport transfers not included);
• complimentary admission to all of the conference proceedings, including the gala dinner;
• recognition at the conference as the award winner.;
• one- year student membership to ITechLaw; and
• publication of the article in ITechLaw's eBulletin.
Deadline: April 26, 2007
Richmond Journal of Law & Technology Biennial Writing Competition
Topic: any law and technology topic, including, but not limited to, biotechnology, intellectual property, patent and trademark, and the Internet
Award: The grand prize winner will receive a $1,200 cash award and will be published in a 2008 issue of JOLT. The second place winner will receive a $600 cash award and 2,000 WestlawRewards points. The third place winner will receive a $100 cash award and 2500 LexisNexis points. Additionally, every entrant will receive 150 LexisNexis points!
Deadline: February 8, 2008
International Association of Defense Counsel Legal Writing Contest
Topic: tort law, insurance law, civil procedure, evidence or other areas of the law of practical concern to lawyers engaged in the defense or management of the defense of civil litigation
Award: First Place- US$2,000 and plaque
Second Place- US$1,000 and plaque
Third Place- US$500 and plaque
Honorable Mention- Plaque
Deadline: May 15, 2009
Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section Writing Competition
Topic: a current topic in a legal area covered by one of the Section’s substantive law committees
Award: First place- $1,500 and consideration for publication in Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section Law Journal
Second place- $500
Deadline: March 2, 2009
American University - Washington College of Law Essay Competition (women in the law)
Topic: a topic of interest or importance affecting women in the law, such as issues ranging from the history of struggles confronted by women lawyers in their careers to issues that women lawyers face today in a male-dominated environment at the higher levels of the profession.
Award: $1000; The possibility of publishing the essay in The Modern American publication; A special invitation to the WBA/WCL Dinner for the winner and all the semi-finalists.
Deadline: October 1, 2009
Victoria Fisher Memorial Prize Essay
Topic: any topic related to Women and the Law
Award: £250
Deadline: September 30, 2009
** All ABA Scholarships and Writing Contests **
American Judges Association Law Student Essay Competition
Topic: See website
Award: first prize is $3,000; second is $1,500; and third is $1,000. The winning essay will be published in AJA’s journal, Court Review.
Deadline: June 1, 2009
Center for Alcohol Policy Second Annual Essay Contest
Topic: “State Regulation of Alcohol is Important Because . . . “
Award: Cash awards of $5000, $2500, and $1000 to first, second, and third place winners
Deadline: November 18, 2009
Brown Award for Excellence in Legal Writing
Topic: the writing must be on a legal subject
Award: $10,000
Deadline: May 15, 2009
Holocaust Remembrance Essay Award
Topic: a topic relating to law and the Holocaust
Award: $500.00 CDN
Deadline: July 1, annually
Lawyers' Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation's Student Writing Competition
Topic: any aspect of cultural heritage law including cultural property, art law, historic preservation, indigenous cultures and intangible heritage
Award: $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place
Deadline: June 13, 2008
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws William J. Pierce Writing Contest
Topic: Any article, note, or comment that addresses a uniform or model act, or an issue arising from a uniform or model act promulgated by ULC may be eligible.
Award: $1,000
Deadline: December 31, 2008
Pacific Legal Foundation Judicial Awareness Student Writing Competition
Topic: I. Write an essay on a topic of your choice concerning the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment: "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without payment of just compensation."
II. Write an essay on a topic of your choice concerning the use of the precautionary principle in formulating environmental policy.
III. Write an essay on a topic of your choice concerning the use of racial categories in the admission or assignment of students in state-funded educational institutions.
Award: First place- $3,000
Runner-up- $1,500
Deadline: May 31, 2009
UMKC Law Review "One-L Revisited" Law Stories Contest
Topic: Non fiction stories about the first year experience; open to current law students and recent graduates. 1000 – 5000 words;
footnotes discouraged.
Award: $500 and publication in UKMC Law Review with forward by Scott Turow.
Deadline: October 23, 2009; send to lawstories@umkc.edu with "Law Stories Submission” in subject line.
