Chicago-Kent Alum Wins Prestigious Legal Writing Award

Ryan Martin ’23 won the 2024 Burton Award for his paper titled “The Sincere Parody: Analysis of the Copyright Implications of an Emerging Trend in Musical Theatre.” He will be presented with the Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award on May 19, 2025.

The annual Burton Awards recognize the 15 finest law school writers, who are nominated by top United States law schools. The awards are run in association with the Library of Congress and co-sponsored by the American Bar Association and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

Martin acted as notes and comments editor for the Chicago-Kent Law Review and was a winning member of Chicago-Kent’s Moot Court Honor Society. He also completed an externship with Associate Judge Allen P. Walker in the Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County.

He currently practices in the Labor, Employment, and Immigration team at Sidley Austin LLP, where he specializes in employment-related advice and counsel.

Prior to attending Chicago-Kent, Martin studied theatre at Northwestern University School of Communication.
The Burton Awards were established in 1999 by William C. Burton, partner at Sagat | Burton LLP in New York “to honor the finest accomplishments in law, including writing, reform, public service, including members of the military and executive branch of the government, and lifetime achievements in the profession,” according to a news release announcing Martin’s win.

This is the first time the award has been presented to a Chicago-Kent alumnus.

Photo: Ryan Martin '23 (right) with moot court partner Hayley Loufek '23 [provided by Moot Court Honor Society, 2022]