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
2009 Tannenwald Writing Competition
Subject Matter:
Tax: technical or policy-oriented tax issues relating to any type of existing or proposed U.S. federal or state tax or U.S. federal or state taxation system
Type of Writing:
25-50 page paper in the form of a scholarly article.
Prizes:
$5000, $2500, and $1500 for top three papers
Deadline:
July 1, 2009
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
2009 Chicago-Kent College of Law/Roy C. Palmer Civil Liberties Prize
Subject Matter:
A scholarly writing competition that honors an outstanding article or book on a topic exploring the tension between civil liberties and national security in contemporary American society.
Type of Writing:
The article or book must be in draft form or have been published within the six months prior to the July 1 deadline.
Prize:
Cash stipend of $10,000.
Deadline:
July 1, 2009
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
James E. Beckley Writing Competition
Subject Matter:
Any aspect of Securities law; Securities arbitration; The Federal Arbitration Act; Title 9, US Code, Section 1-14; or FINRA Code of Arbitration.
Type of Writing:
Double-spaced, 12 point font and one-inch margins.
Prize:
First: $1,000; Second: $750; Third: $500
Deadline:
August 17, 2009
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
5th Annual Colloquium on the Law of Futuristic Persons
Subject Matter:
The Colloquium is an exchange of scholarly views regarding the legal status of people in and revived from cryonic or cybernetic biostasis.
Type of Writing:
To develop an optimal body of futuristic person law in advance of the immediate need for such law when scientists present society with cryonic or cybernetic biostasis revival.
Deadline:
September 10, 2009
Please download PDF for details: Download PDF
Victoria Fisher Memorial Prize 2009
Subject Matter:
Women & The Law
Type of Writing:
Essay not more than 10,000 words
Prize:
250 pounds
Deadline:
September 30, 2009
Contact:
The Secretary, Victoria Fisher Memorial Prize Fund, Faculty of Law
The University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 116 252 2363
Email: lh55@le.ac.uk
The Center for Alcohol Policy Essay Contest 2009
Subject Matter:
"State regulation of alcohol is important because..."
Type of Writing:
Formal law review article submissions or less structured, non-academic essays.
Deadline:
November 18, 2009
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.