Student Legal Writing Competitions - April 2023
The following are writing competitions to which law students may be eligible to submit their writings. For future writing competition deadlines and competitions by subject, see the Library’s Student Legal Writing Competitions Guide.
Sidney B. Williams, Jr Scholar Program
"For nearly two decades, the Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program has provided financial support for students who are members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and who are exploring a career in IP law. Today, this program offers expanded support for STEM-educated individuals in efforts to secure a legal education and prepare for a career in patent law. It now offers counseling support, internship and clerkship assistance, and assistance securing membership in the patent bar. Scholars engage with experts and leaders in the patent law field during the law school admissions process and throughout their law school experience."
Deadline: annual, before April 1 (11:59PM, EDT, March 31).
American Kennel Club Companion Animal Law Writing Contest
For the April 2022 deadline, choose between two topics: The impact of “lawyers for dogs” laws on animal cruelty cases or the constitutionality of mandatory spay/neuter laws.
Deadline: April 1, 2022 at 5:00pm (EST). Annual competition, opens in approx. August each year.
THE MARSHALL MANNE SCHULMAN COMPETITION FOR STUDENT PAPERS IN CRIMINAL LAW AND/OR CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
"The Criminal Law Section of the California Lawyers Association is pleased to announce the Marshall M. Schulman Annual Competition for Student Papers in Criminal Law and/or Criminal Procedure. This is a nationwide competition; while the focus is on California law, past winners have included students attending schools across the country."
Deadline: midnight, Friday, April 15, 2022.
Hutchinson Writing Contest
"Papers must deal with a topic that lies within the substance, procedure, or scope of the specialized jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit."
Submission window for 2023 is tentatively set for March 1, 2023 through April 15, 2023.
Deadline: April 15, 2023
Nickolas Johnson Writing Prize Application
Deadline: April 21, 2022
American Bar Association Howard C. Schwab Memorial Essay Contest
"The purpose of the Howard C. Schwab Memorial Essay Contest is to create greater interest in the field of family law among all law students, and particularly the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association."
Deadline: Entry form registration by April 7, 2023, and essays submitted by April 21, 2023. Annual competition.
NWSBA Hon. Timothy C. Evans Scholarship
Please see the attached application for the Hon. Timothy C. Evans Scholarship awarded by the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.
Deadline: April 25, 2022
American Bankruptcy Institute Bankruptcy Law Student Writing Competition
"We invite papers on current issues regarding bankruptcy jurisdiction, bankruptcy litigation, or evidence in bankruptcy cases or proceedings."
Deadline: April, annually. (Currently suspended).
National Law Review 2021-2022 Law Student Writing Competition
"straightforward and practical, containing useful information of interest to legal and business professionals" Suggested Topics:
- Election Law and Access to Voting
- President Trump and current administration
- Tax Issues
- Immigration enforcement and policy
- Federal Court issues: process of adding additional justices to the US Supreme Court/Federal Circuit
- Employment Issues - Ban the Box Laws, Minimum Wage, Transgender Accommodations, Age/Sex Discrimination
Deadline: 5:00 pm Central Standard Time by the last day of the month.