Writing Competitions

• Berkeley Technology Law Journal 2025 Student Writing Competition

  For submissions on a wide variety of topics at the intersection of law and technology, including but not limited to: technology and the public interest, privacy, internet law, intellectual property, antitrust and trade regulation, First Amendment issues, entertainment and news media, telecommunications, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and cybercrime. (First and section-place awards of $1000 and $500 respectively; deadline March 31, 2025.

• Notre Dame Law School Smith-Doheny Legal Ethics Writing Competition

  For essays concerned with the general category of legal ethics. (Award of $2500; deadline April 15, 2025)

• University of Wisconsin-Madison Havens Wright Center for Social Justice Erik Olin Wright Prize

  For papers by graduate or professional students that best exemplify the concerns that animated Prof. Olin Wright’s work, which included the analysis of class, the study of real utopias, theories of the state, economic sociology, and social inequality, always motivated by an explicit commitment to social justice. A nominating letter from a faculty member familiar with the student’s work is required. (Award of $1,000; submissions accepted between March 1 and April 15, 2025.)

• UT Austin School of Law Louis T. Pirkey Prize in Intellectual Property Law

  For unpublished papers with a substantial focus on one more issues of property law and which reflect work done during the current academic year. Participation is limited to Texas Law students enrolled during the current academic year. (Award of $2000; deadline May 30, 2025.)

• Mercer University School of Law and the American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights Adam A. Milani Disability Law Writing Competition

  For submissions addressing any aspect of disability law, theory, or practice the contestant chooses. Other permissible topics include issues arising under any of the following statutes: Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Family and Medical Leave Act; or any state statutes or municipal ordinances prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. (Award will range from $300-$1000, depending on whether multiple awards are given; deadline June 13, 2025.)

• American Inns of Court 2025 Warren E. Burger Prize

  For unpublished essays on a topic that addresses issues of legal excellence, civility, ethics, and professionalism. (Winning entry will receive unspecified cash prize; deadline July 1, 2025.)

• State Bar of Texas Consumer & Commercial Law section 2025 Annual Craig Jordan Consumer Protection Writing Competition

  For essays on any topic within the broad scope of consumer protection. (First-place receives $4000 and may be published in the Journal of Consumer & Commercial Law; runner-up receives $1000; Deadline July 31, 2025.)

Collections of Writing Competitions

• American Bar Association

  Writing Competitions for Young Lawyers and Law Students

• AccessLex Institute

  Law School Scholarship Databank: Writing Competitions

• Suffolk University Law School

  iCompete Writing: A Compilation of Legal Writing Competitions

• Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law

  A Guide to Legal Writing Competitions for Law Students