Law students are eligible to enter writing competitions sponsored by organizations around the country. Many of these competitions award scholarships or cash prizes to the winning students.
Here are some you may be interested in (in order of deadline):
-
American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers Writing Competition
For entries discussing some aspect of US consumer financial services law. (Deadline November 1, 2025; award of $1,500 for publishable student work.)
-
Duke Law School Judicature Writing Competition for Emerging Scholars
For articles addressing topics related to judges, judging, judicial administration, or the rule of law. (Deadline December 31, 2025; winner receives $1,000 and the option to be considered for publication in a future print edition of Judicature.)
-
State Bar of Texas Computer & Technology Section Student Writing Competition
For papers addressing technology and law, policy, or compliance issues of interest to practicing attorneys with significant background establishing the topic’s significance. (Winning paper will be published in Circuits: An Esteemed e-Journal of the Computer & Technology Section; deadline December 31, 2025.)
-
John F. Burton Jr. College of Workers’ Compensation LawyersStudent Writing Competition
For articles on any aspect of worker’s compensation law. Students are encouraged to consider topics such as a public policy issues, a critique of a leading case or doctrine, or a comment on a statute or the need for statutory modification. (Deadline January 31, 2026; first, second, and third-place awards of $3,000, $1,500, and $1,000 respectively.)
-
University of Oklahoma College of Law and American Indian Law Review 2025-2026 American Indian Law Review National Writing Competition
For unpublished papers submitted by J.D. students on any legal issue specifically concerning American Indians or other indigenous peoples. (Deadline February 27, 2026; award of $1,500, publication by the American Indian Law Review, and an eBook copy of Cohen’s Handbook of Federal Indian Law.)
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