Writing Competitions
American Indian Law Review Writing Competition
- More information on the University of Oklahoma College of Law website
- Subject: A paper on any legal issue specifically concerning American Indians or other indigenous peoples.
- Deadline for entry is February 28, 2020.
- First Place: $1,000 and publication by the American Indian Law Review.
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $250
The Marshall Manne Schulman Competition for Student Papers in Criminal Law and/or Criminal Procedure
- More information on the California Lawyers Association website
- Subject: A paper pertaining to criminal law and/or criminal procedure, with a particular focus on contemporary issues of concern in the State of California.
- Deadline for entry is March 2, 2020.
- Grand Prize: $1,500
- Honorable Mention (3 prizes): $500 each
The 2020 Ed Mendrzycki Essay Contest
- More information on the American Bar Association website
- Subject: A paper addressing a hypothetical question posted on the competition webpage (linked above).
- Deadline for entry is March 6, 2020.
- Grand Prize: $5,000
The Criminal Justice Reform National Writing Competition
- More information on the Arizona State Law Journal website
- Subject: A paper concerning any topic relating to criminal justice reform.
- Deadline for entry is April 15, 2020.
- Grand Prize: $1,000
Notre Dame Law School Smith-Doheny Legal Ethics Writing Competition
- More information on the Notre Dame Law School website
- Subject: A paper concerning any issue within the general category of legal ethics.
- Deadline for entry is April 24, 2020.
- Grand Prize: $2,500
2020 Hogan/Smoger Access to Justice Essay Competition
- More information on the Public Citizen website
- Subject: An essay addressing various aspects of court secrecy.
- Deadline for entry is April 30, 2020.
- First Place: $5,000
The Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation 27th Annual Brown Award
- More information on the Brown Sims website
- Subject: A paper on any legal subject.
- Deadline for entry is May 29, 2020.
- First Place: $10,000
- Second Place: $5,000
- Third Place: $3,000
- Two (2) Finalists: $1,000 each
2020 Francis "Brother" Hare Access to Justice Scholarship
- More information on the American Association for Justice website
- Subject: An essay addressing various aspects of court secrecy.
- Deadline for entry is May 31, 2020.
- First Place: $5,000
The American College of Employee Benefits Counsel Sixteenth Annual Employee Benefits Writing Prize
- More information in the competition rules
- Subject: Any topic in the field of employee benefits law.
- Deadline for entry is June 1, 2020.
- Two (2) prizes: $1,500 each
The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law Annual Law Student Writing Competition
- More information on the College of Labor and Employment Law website
- Subject: A paper on current and relevant topics of labor and employment law.
- Deadline for entry is June 15, 2020.
- First Place: $3,000
- Second Place: $1,000
- Third Place: $500
The California Supreme Court Historical Society 2020 Selma Moidel Smith Student Writing Competition in California Legal History
- More information on the California Supreme Court Historical Society website
- Subject: A paper on any aspect of legal history that deals significantly with California.
- Deadline for entry is June 30, 2020.
- First Place: $2,500
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $250
The 2020 American Inns of Court Warren E. Burger Prize
- More information on the American Inns of Court website
- Subject: A paper on a topic of your choice addressing issues of excellence in legal skills, civility, ethics, and professionalism.
- Deadline for entry is July 1, 2020.
- First Place: $5,000
Higbee & Associates and the Foundation Continuing Justice 2019-2020 Student Writing Competition
- More information on the Higbee & Associates website
- Subject: A paper on one of three topics (see website) relating to continuing justice.
- Deadline for entry is September 30, 2020.
- First Place: $2,000
- Second Place: $1,000
- Third Place: $300
- Honorable Mention: $200
National Law Review 2019-2020 Monthly Law Student Writing Competition
- More information on the National Law Review website
- Subject: Please see competition details for list of suggested topics.
- Deadline for entry is the last day of each month.
- Monthly Grand Prize: Publication on the National Law Review website.