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:
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University Wisconsin-Madison Havens Wright Center for Social Justice Erik Olin Wright Prize
For submissions examining theories of the state, economic sociology, or social inequality and motivated by a commitment to social justice. A nominating letter from a faculty member familiar with the student’s work is required. (award of $1,000; papers must be submitted between March 1 and April 15, 2024)
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Notre Dame Law School’s Smith-Doheny Legal Ethics Writing Competition
For entries concerning any issue within the general category of legal ethics (award of $2,500; deadline April 15, 2024)
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California Lawyers Association’s Marshall M. Schulman 2024 Competition for Student Papers in Criminal Law and/or Criminal Procedure
For papers pertaining to criminal law and/or to criminal procedure, with a particular focus on contemporary issues of concern in the State of California (grand prize of $2,500 and three honorable mention prizes of $1,000; deadline May 12, 2024)
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University of Texas School of Law’s Louis T. Pirkey Prize in Intellectual Property Law
For papers on intellectual property law written by students at the University of Texas School of Law (award of $2,000; deadline May 31, 2024)
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The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law’s 2024 Annual Law Student Writing Competition
For papers addressing topics which are relevant, engaging, and useful to labor and employment lawyers in their practice (first, second, and third-place awards of $3,000, $1,000, and $500 respectively; deadline June 15, 2024). Rules available here, and rubric here.
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American Inns of Court 2024 Warren E. Burger Prize
For essays of 10,000–20,000 words on topics addressing issues of professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence (winning essay will receive cash prize; deadline July 1, 2024)
Collections of Writing Competitions
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American Bar Association
Writing Competitions for Young Lawyers and Law Students
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AccessLex Institute
Law School Scholarship Databank: Writing Competitions
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Suffolk University Law School
iCompete Writing: A Compilation of Legal Writing Competitions
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Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
A Guide to Legal Writing Competitions for Law Students