Andrew P. Vance Memorial Writing Competition

The Competition
The Customs and International Trade Bar Association (CITBA) and Brooklyn Law School (BLS) sponsor this Writing Competition to encourage law students who are interested in careers in customs and international trade law. Winning papers will be considered for publication in the Brooklyn Journal of International Law.

Who is Eligible
Entrants must be currently enrolled in a J.D. or L.L.M. program at one of the nation's law schools.

Paper Requirements
Submissions should be typewritten and double-spaced on 8 ½ x 11 inch paper. The paper must not exceed 40 pages in length, including footnotes. Papers must include footnotes, not endnotes. Papers should be in 12 point, Times New Roman font and have one-inch margins on all sides. Noncompliance with these requirements may affect evaluation or result in disqualification. The following should be included on the cover sheet of the paper:

• Full name, address and telephone number
• Law school and anticipated year of graduation
• Date of submission

Judges
A committee of practicing attorneys and professors with relevant expertise will judge the papers. The following factors will be considered:

• Legal analysis
• Thoroughness and depth of topic
• Evaluation of judicial precedents, statutes, and regulations
• Writing style
• Form and quality of citations
• Conformity with the rules of Competition

Prizes
Two prizes will be awarded:
$1000.00 first prize
$500.00 second prize
Awards will be presented at the CITBA's semi-annual dinner in the fall.

Topics
An in-depth analysis of a current issue relevant to customs and international trade law.

About the Sponsors

Customs and International Trade Bar Association
The Customs and International Trade Bar Association is the only national bar association dedicated to representing the interests and concerns of attorneys engaged in the practice of customs and international trade law. Founded in 1919, CITBA strives to maintain and improve the standards of practice and to promote the public interest.

Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School is an independent, nonprofit educational institution committed to providing the highest quality legal education. Founded in 1901, BLS is a leader in the study and research of international law. The Brooklyn Journal of International Law is one of the nation's oldest scholarly publications focusing on international law. Both the Journal and the BLS Center for the Study of International Business Law provide valuable forums for the study of customs and international trade law.

About the Honoree
Andrew P. Vance
The writing award honors the memory of Andrew P. Vance, past president of CITBA and distinguished public servant and practitioner. Through his work in the field of customs and international trade law for over forty years, Andrew Vance maintained and improved the standards of practice and earned the respect and affection of countless lawyers, judges and scholars.

Download a printable copy of these competition guidelines.