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:
-
USA Branch of the International Fiscal Association’s IFA USA Branch 2023 Writing Competition
For papers on any topic relating to US taxation of income from international activities, including taxation under US tax treaties ($5,000 prize; deadline September 30, 2023)
-
The American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers’ Annual Writing Competition
For articles discussing some aspect of U.S. consumer financial services law. Topics that relate principally to securities regulation, bankruptcy, insurance, or the safety and soundness aspects of banking regulation are not eligible, but works on subjects within these (or other) areas will be considered if they bear directly on U.S. consumer financial services law (award $1,500; deadline November 1, 2023)
-
International Section of the New York State Bar Association’s Albert S. Pergam International Law Writing Competition
For articles pertaining to any area of public or private international law or practice ($2,000 prize; deadline November 3, 2023)
-
American Journal of Mediation National Dispute Writing Competition – 2023
For entries focused on the full range of the alternative dispute resolution field (consensus-based resolution, adjudicative processes, or mixed processes) or on ADR process design, practice techniques, specific case studies, related legislation, and ethical dilemmas and standards for dispute resolution professionals (first and second-place awards of $5,000 and $2,000 respectively; deadline December 15, 2023)
-
National Association of Women Lawyers’ Selma Moidel Smith Writing Competition
For papers identifying a historical individual or event and explaining how it aligns with NAWL’s mission to provide leadership, a collective voice, and essential resources to advance women in the legal profession and advocate for equality of women under the law (award $500 ; deadline February 1, 2024)
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