Law Student Writing Competitions
A number of organizations sponsor student writing competitions. Participating in these competitions offers many rewards including the chance to contribute to the body of scholarship in a particular area of legal study, the professional recognition of your work among your peers and future employers, and often substantial financial awards.
We update this page as we receive information on new competitions. Check often.
Current Competitions
The Federal Bar Association Section on Taxation Writing Competition
Subject Matter:
See PDF
Type of Writing:
See PDF
Prize:
1st place $2,000; 2nd place $1,000
Deadline:
January 15, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
2009-2010 Louis Jackson National Student Writing Competition
Subject Matter:
Any topic relating to the law governing the workplace, such as employment law, labor law, employee benefits, or employment discrimination.
Type of Writing:
Suitable for publication in a law review.
Prize:
$3,000, (2) $1,000
Deadline:
January 19, 2010
Click here for link to competition website.
The 12th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Competition
Prize:
1st place $5,000, (4) second place $1,000
Deadline:
January 22, 2010
Click here for link to competition website
ABA/Secion of Antitrust Law Annual Law Student Writing Competition
Subject Matter:
May address any topic of general interest to the antitrust law community, including topics relating to civil and criminal antitrust law, competition policy, consumer protection and international competition law.
Type of Writing:
Published notes, comments and article
Award:
$ 2,000
Deadline:
January 30, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
OSBA Environmental Law Award:
Subject Matter:
Any topic that advances the application and practice of environmental, energy or resources law in the State of Ohio.
Type of Writing:
Submission may be any length up to a maximum of 50 pages, double spaced, 8.5x11" page with 112 point font.
Prize:
$1,000
Deadline:
January 31, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
Liberty Mutual Prize
Subject Matter:
Law of property and casualty insurance, its regulation and corporate governance.
Type of Writing:
Submission should be no more than 25,000 words in length.
Prize:
$5,000
Deadline:
No later than February 1, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
The 2010 Bert W. Levit Essay Contest
Subject Matter:
Pleading and Proof Burdens, in a legal malpractice case, on the issue collectibility of damages in the underlying case.
Prize:
$5,000
Deadline:
Februrary 19, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
Center for Reproductive Rights Sarah Weddington Prize New Student Scholarship in Reproductive Rights
Subject Matter:
Reproductive Rights As Human Rights
Prize:
1st place $750, 2ns place $500, 3rd place $250
Deadline:
March 1, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
NILITA VIENTOS GASTON LEGAL WRITING CONTEST
Subject Matter:
Law and Health
Prize:
$1,000
Essay Deadline:
March 5, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
Public Justice - 2010 Roscoe Hogan Environmental Law Essay Contest
Subject Matter:
Can Coal Be Clean? Litigation Remedies for Coal Contamination from Mining to Combustion to Sequestration.
Prize:
$5,000
Deadline: Intent-to-Enter form
January 29, 2010
Essay Deadline:
March 31, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
2010 GELLHORN-SARGENTICH Law Student Essay Competition
Subject Matter:
Discuss a problem or issue relating to presidential control of agency rulemaking
Prize:
$500
Essay Deadline:
March 31, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
2010 William W. Greenhalgh Student Writing Competition
Subject Matter:
Any timely and important issue of American criminal constitutional procedure of interest to practitioners of criminal law
Prize: $ 2,000
Deadline:
April 23, 2010
Please download PDF for details:Download PDF
National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees
Subject Matter:
Submit an essay, article, or comment on an issue concerning Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Prize: See PDF
Deadline:
April 30, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers - Wrting Competiton for law students 2009-2010
Subject Matter:
Scope permissible topics is broad i.e., any aspect of domestic pbulic or private labor or employment law.
Prize:
1st prize $1,500, 2nd prize $1,000, 3rd prize $500
Deadline:
Postmarked no later than May 1, 2010
Emailed no later than 5:00 pm May 14, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
Paralyzed Veterans of America Legal Writing Competition
Subject Matter:
Adjudication within the Department of Veterans Affairs: Judicial Independence, Quality Control, Consumer Perception and the Paradoxes Present in the VA's System of Administrative Adjudication
Prize:
$3,000 each in two divisions, law student and professional.
Deadline:
June 1, 2010
Please download PDF: Download PDF
Click here for link to competition website
27th Annual Smith-Babcock-Williams Student Writing Competition
Subject Matter:
Original thought on a question of significance in either city planning or associated areas of law
Prize:
First prize $2,500 ,2nd prize $1,000, 3rd prize $ 250
Deadline:
June 7, 2010
Please download PDF: Download PDF
The 2010 Tannenwald Writing Competition
Subject Matter:
Papers on any federal or state tax-related topic.
Prize:
1st prize $5,000, 2nd prize $2,500, 3rd prize $1,500
Deadline:
July 1, 2010
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
American Bar Association Law Student Division - Awards, Competitions, Grants, and Scholarships
The ABA's Law Student Division's web site lists a number of writing competitions, both sponsored by the ABA, as well as independent competitions. Click the here to visit their website to learn more.