elcome to Brooklyn Law School's Writing Competitions Catalogue! Writing competitions provide an excellent opportunity for you to gain recognition for your work and enhance your employment opportunities. All of the competitions listed below offer cash prizes and many of them offer publishing opportunities as well. Simply click on your areas of interest and see what is available. Check this catalogue routinely, since notices for new writing competitions are continually posted.
Note: If a competition shows a deadline that has already passed, and if the competition has a web page, click on the web page for more up-to-date information. If there is no web page, then keep checking this list. Whenever the notice arrives, the competition will be updated.
If you have any questions, you may contact Professor Marilyn R. Walter, at (718) 780-7921, or marilyn.walter@brooklaw.edu.
Accounting Law
Attorney-CPA Foundation
Essay Contest
Topic: Discuss the restrictions and prohibitions which the professional, legal and accounting ethical standard-setters place on the simultaneous multidisciplinary practice of law and accounting by an attorney-CPA holding active licenses issued by both the state Bar Association and Accountancy Board in their jurisdiction.
Prize: $2,500
Deadline: 2008 to be posted soon
For more information:
http://www.attorney-cpa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3389
Call: 1-888-CPA-ATTY
Administrative Law
American Bar Association Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section
Gellhorn-Sargentich Law Student Essay Competition
Topic: Discuss a problem or issue relating to presidential control of agency rulemaking.
Prize: $500
Deadline: March 31, 2008
For more information:
E-mail: knightk@staff.abanet.org
Antitrust Law
ABA Section on Antitrust Law
Student Writing Competition
Topic: Antitrust law, competition policy, consumer protection, international competition law.
Prize: $1,000
Deadline: March 8, 2008
Note: You must be nominated by Brooklyn Law School for this award.
For more information:
http://www.abanet.org/antitrust/
Any Legal Topic
The Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation
The 2008 Brown Award For Excellence in Legal Writing
Topic: Any legal subject with no page limitation.
Prize: $10,000
Deadline: May 16, 2008
Note: Any student currently enrolled in law school is eligible. Applications must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation by a law school faculty member or legal professional. See Joanne Tapia on the 8th floor for a copy of the competition announcement and submission information.
For more information:
E-mail: joanne.tapia@brooklaw.edu
Call: 718-780-7510
Bioethics
American College of Legal Medicine
Student Writing Competition: The Hoffman Bioethics Writing Competition
Topic: Any aspect of bioethics.
Prize: First Prize: $1,000; Second Prize: $500; Third Prize: $250 and possible publication.
Deadline: January 15, 2008
For more information:
http://www.aclm.org/
Business Law
ABA Section of Business Law
Mendes Hershman Student Writing Contest
Topic: Details will be posted in the spring of 2008 for the '08-'09 contest.
Prize: $2,500
For more information:
http://www.abanet.org/buslaw/hershman/
Journal of Business & Securities Law
Annual Elliot A. Spoon Business Law Writing Competition
Topic: Any current topic concerning business and/or securities law.
Prize: $500 & Publication
Deadline: March 14, 2008
For more information:
http://www.brooklaw.edu/writingcompetitions/SpoonWritingComp.pdf
New York Business Law Journal
Student Writing Competition
Topic: Any topic of general interest to the New York State business community, i.e. banking, bankruptcy, consumer financial services, corporations, insurance, securities regulation.
Prize: $1,500
Deadline: There is no deadline for this
Note: The Journal will publish timely articles of of topical
interest to New York business law practitioners - essentially, any topic
relevant to business lawyers. There is no minimum or maximum length,
with the proviso that our focus is on articles of practical interest to
practicing attorneys. In general, articles we have accepted range from
1,200 to 3,500 words. Footnotes should follow blue book form and should
be grouped at the end as end notes. A short biography of the author
should accompany the article submission. Articles accepted for
publication from students become the property of the NY State Bar. Cash prizes of $1,500 will be awarded for articles accepted for
publication. The Journal will recognize and feature the best student articles as
prize winners.
For more information:
E-mail: David.Glass@macquarie.com
Call: (212) 231-1583
Children's Law
National Association of Counsel for Children
Student Essay Competition on the Legal Interests of Children
Topic: The NACC will begin accepting essays for the 2008 Law Student Essay Competition in September 2007 . The winning essay will be published in the 2008 Children's Law Manual, and the winner will be given $1,000, a one-year NACC membership and a scholarship to the 2008 conference in Savannah, GA. Essays will be evaluated on the importance of the topic to advancing the legal interests of children, originality, persuasiveness, and the quality of research and writing. Essay topics of national importance are given preference.
Prize: $1,000; publication in the 2008 Children's Law Manual; and a one-year NACC membership
Deadline: June 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.naccchildlaw.org/childrenlaw/news.html
E-mail: Advocate@NACCchildlaw.org
Constitutional Law
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
2008 National Student Writing Competition
Topic: Liberty, Security, and Democracy in Our Evolving Society
Prize: Cash and recognition at the 2008 ACS National Convention.
Deadline: February 8, 2008
For more information:
http://www.acslaw.org/chapters/studentcompetitions/writing
Copyright Law (Intellectual Property)
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition
Topic: Any aspect of copyright law.
Prize: First Prize: $600; Second Prize: $250
Deadline: June 30, 2008
Note: This competition is open to third-year students only.
For more information:
http://www.ascap.com/musicbiz/burkan/
E-mail: nbmc@ascap.com
Call: 212-621-6280
Corporate Law
Association of Coporate Counsel (NY Chapter)
ACC Award for Best Essay
Topic: Why Corporate Law Departments should be able to successfully claim ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE
Prize: $5,000
Deadline: April 25, 2008
Note: Submit your 10 page essay to Professor Elaine Reiss at the email address below.
For more information:
E-mail: doitt@earthlink.net
Democracy
Inter-American Bar Association
Law Students’ Best Papers Award
Topic: Students must write about one of the following topics: The Rule of Law and Governability: Abiding by the Constitutional Order; The Rule of Law and Governability: Importance of the Independence of the Judiciary; The Rule of Law and Governability: Importance of the Separation of Powers.
Prize: First Prize: $800; Second Prize: $600; Third Prize: $400. Each prize also includes a free one-year IABA membership and possible publication in the IABA's Inter-American Law Journal.
Deadline: April 20, 2008
For more information:
E-mail: iaba@iaba.org
Call: 202-466-5944
Disability Law
Mercer University School of Law & the ABA
Milani Brief-Writing Competition
Topic: Topics are: Disability Law, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and a state statute or municipal oridenance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Prize: First Prize will range between $300 and $1,000, depending on whether multiple awards are given.
Deadline: June 1, 2008
Note: Entries for the competition must be submitted by mail to the "Adam A. Milani Disability Law Writing Competition," Mercer University, School of Law, 1021 Georgia Ave., Macon, GA 31207-0001. Submissions must be postmarked by June 1, 2008, by U.S. mail or a recognized commercial express service. Entries submitted by fax will not be accepted. The competition is open to all students who attend a law school in the United States. Full-time students who are not law students but who write law-related papers as part of a course at an American law school are also eligible.
For more information:
www.law.mercer.edu/academics/legal_writing/writingcomp.cfm
Dispute Resolution
Association for Conflict Resolution and the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution
James Boskey Dispute Resolution Essay Competition
Topic: The essay may address any aspect of dispute resolution practice, theory or research that the contestant chooses. Essays are limited to 15-20 typewritten pages, including footnotes or endnotes. The text of the essay must be double-spaced, with twelve-point font and one-inch margins.
Prize: $1,000
For more information:
http://www.abanet.org/dispute/essaycomp.html
Elderlaw
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
NAELA Student Journal Writing Competition
Topic: The intersection of law and aging, elder or disability planning.
Prize: First Prize: $1,500; Second Prize: $1,000; Third Prize: $500
Deadline: May 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.naela.org
E-mail: mhansen@naela.com
Environmental Law
ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources
Topic: Any issue regarding the environment, natural resources, and energy law.
Prize: Publication
Deadline: February 8, 2008
Note: For more information, contact BLS Environmental Law professors.
Feminist Jurisprudence
University of Leicester
Victoria Fisher Memorial Prize Essay Contest
Topic: Women and the Law.
Prize: £250
Deadline: September 30, 2008
For more information:
http://www.le.ac.uk/la/news/fisher2008-9.pdf
First Amendment Issues
Alliance Defense Fund
William Pew Religious Freedom Scholarship Competition
Topic: Any topic that advocates a legal position consistent with ADF's perspectives and mission as set forth on its website (www.telladf.org) and that addresses one or more issues in the areas of religious liberty, sanctity of life, and/or family values.
Prize: $2,500
Deadline: June 15, 2008
For more information:
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/userdocs/2008_Pew_Rules.pdf
Food and Drug Law
Food and Drug Law Institute
H. Thomas Austern Memorial Writing Competition for Law Students
Topic: Areas of law that affect foods, drugs, devices, cosmetics, and biologics.
Prize: First Prize: $1,500; Second Prize: $1,000
Deadline: June 13, 2008
Note: There are two competitions—one for papers with a maximum of 40 pages, and one for papers between 41 and 100 pages. Papers longer than 100 pages will not be accepted.
For more information:
http://www.fdli.org/edu/hthomas.html
Call: 202-371-0649
Gay & Lesbian Law
National Lesbian and Gay Law Association
Michael Greenberg Student Writing Competition
Topic: Any cutting edge legal issue effecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and/or Intersex community.
Prize: First Prize: $3,000; Second Prize: $2,000; Third Prize: $1,000.
Deadline: June 1, 2008
Note: Entries should be a scholarly piece fit for publication in a law review. (Please write "NLGLA Writing Competition" in the subject line of your email submission.)
For more information:
writingcompetition@nlgla.org
E-mail: alvin.lee@nlgla.org
Health Law (Mental Health Law)
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
Annual Health Law Writing Competition
Topic: Any traditional area of the law as applied to health care (e.g., antitrust, tax, corporate), or areas unique to health care (e.g., fraud and abuse, managed care, Medicare/Medicaid).
Prize: First Prize: $4,000; Second Prize: $2,000; Third Prize: $500
Deadline: January 25, 2008
For more information:
http://www.ebglaw.com/othercontent.aspx?show=5064
Health Law Section of the New York State Bar Association
Barry Gold Memorial Health Law Student Writing Competition
Topic: Entries must discuss a health law issue under New York State law or a health law issue under federal law and its impact on New York State Law or the regulatory environment in New York State. All entries must be unpublished works to be eligible.
Prize: First Prize: $1,000; Second Prize: $500
Deadline: June 2, 2008
For more information:
E-mail: lbataille@nysba.org
Call: 518-487-5681
Indigenous People
Oklahoma Supreme Court
Chief Justice John B. Doolin Writing Competition
Topic: Any area of law relating to Native Americans or other indigenous peoples. The winning entry will also be published in the 2008 Symposium compendium of materials.
Prize: First Prize: $500; Second Prize: $300; Third Prize: $200
Deadline: March 30, 2008
For more information:
roriej@oscn.net
E-mail: kyle.shifflet@oscn.net
Call: 405-522-5801
Intellectual Property Law
New York Intellectual Property Association
William C. Conner Intellectual Property Writing Competition
Topic: Patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets.
Prize: First Prize: $1,500; Second Prize: $1,000
Deadline: March 7, 2008
For more information:
http://www.nyipla.org/WritingComp/WritingComp.htm
E-mail: nyipla@aol.com
Call: 201-634-1870
International Business Law
Journal of Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems
Trandafir International Business Writing Competition
Topic: Any topic of contemporary international business or economic concern with a legal nexus.
Prize: $2,000 and Publication
Deadline: February 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.law.uiowa.edu/journals/tlcp/trandafir.php
International Trade
Federal Circuit Bar Association
George Hutchinson Writing Competition
Topic: Any topic that lies within the substance, procedure or scope of the specialized jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
Prize: $3,000
Deadline: June 30, 2008
For more information:
http://memberconnections.com/olc/filelib/LVFC/cpages/9005/Library/docs/Hutchinson%20Writing%20Contest%20Rules.pdf
E-mail: amanolas@brinkshofer.com
The Center for Global Trade & Development, Chapman University School of Law
Topic: The Genocide Convention at Sixty
Prize: $1,500
Deadline: January 20, 2008
For more information:
http://www.brooklaw.edu/writingcompetitions/Genocide_poster.pdf
E-mail: jhall@chapman.edu
The Customs and International Trade Bar Association and Brooklyn Law School
The Tenth Annual Andrew P. Vance Memorial Writing Competition
Topic: An in-depth analysis of a current issue relevant to customs and international trade law.
Prize: First Prize: $1,000; Second Prize: $500.
Deadline: May 16, 2008
For more information:
E-mail: claire.kelly@brooklaw.edu
Judiciary
Pacific Legal Foundation
Program for Judicial Awareness Writing Competition
Topic: Write one of the following three topics, each concerning an issue of public policy with meaningful legal dimensions: (1) Using the Supreme Court’s adherence to Penn-Central’s multi-factored analysis, which types of land use regulations may be struck down in the coming decade?; (2) Are free translation services mandated under the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s prohibition of discrimination on the basis of national origin? And (3) Why is the “shocks the conscience” standard inappropriate to gauge substantive violations of the Due Process Clause in cases involving property rights?
Prize: First Prize: $5,000; Second Prize: $3,000; Third Prize: $1,500
Deadline: May 30, 2008
For more information:
http://www.pacificlegal.org/?mvcTask=writingCompetition
E-mail: clt@pacificlegal.org
Labor and Employment Law
Jackson Lewis LLP & Chicago-Kent College of Law’sInstitute for Law and the Workplace
Louis Jackson National Student Writing Competition in Employment and Labor Law
Topic: Any topic relating to the law governing the workplace, such as employment law, labor law, employee benefits, or employment discrimination.
Prize: First Prize: $3,000; Second Prize: $1,000 (two).
Deadline: January 22, 2008
For more information:
http://www.kentlaw.edu/academics/plel/LouisJacksonNWC.html
E-mail: mmalin@kentlaw.edu
The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
Topic: Any aspect of public or private labor or employment law. Students are encouraged to present a a) public policy issue, b) critique of a leading case or doctrine, c) comment on a statute or the need for a statutory modification, d) comment on a common law doctrine.
Prize: First Prize: $1,500; Second Prize: $1,000; Third Prize: $500.
Deadline: May 15, 2008
For more information:
http://www.laborandemploymentcollege.org/Writing_Contest/writing_contest.html
Latino Studies
LatCrit, Inc.
Annual Lat Crit Student Scholar Program Award
Topic: Any topic related to race, ethnicity and the law.
Prize: Scholarship and travel stipend
Deadline: February 15, 2008
Note: In addition to the paper, you must also submit a completed application form, a current resume and a personal statement.
For more information:
http://www.latcrit.org/
Legal Ethics
American Inns of Court
2008 Warren E. Burger Writing Competition
Topic: Any topic relating to one or more aspects of legal excellence, civility, ethics or professionalism.
Prize: $5,000 and Publication
Deadline: June 15, 2008
For more information:
http://www.innsofcourt.org/Content/Default.aspx?Id=2845
Smith-Doheny
Smith-Doheny Legal Ethics Writing Competition
Topic: Any issue of legal ethics.
Prize: $2,500
Deadline: April 25, 2008
Note: Submissions must be an original, unpublished work. It may not exceed fifty pages in length, including notes, and it may be the work of single individual or of several co-authors.
For more information:
Call: 574-631-6749
Legal Medicine
American College of Legal Medicine
Student Writing Competition: The Letourneau Award
Topic: Any aspect of legal medicine.
Prize: $1,000 and possible publication.
Deadline: January 15, 2008
For more information:
http://www.aclm.org/resources/swc/
Litigation
International Association of Defense Counsel
Legal Writing Contest
Topic: Entrants must write on subjects in the fields of tort law, insurance law, civil procedure, evidence or other areas of the law of practical concern to lawyers engaged in the defense or management of the defense of civil litigation.
Prize: First Prize: $2,000; Second Prize: $1,000; Third Prize: $500
Deadline: May 16, 2008
Note: Entries must be certified by the entrant on the IADC entry form to be the original and sole work of the entrant. The entry must not be published or accepted for publication, and the author must be free to execute the assignment of copyright to IADC.
For more information:
www.iadclaw.org
E-mail: (Amy O'Maley) aomaley@iadclaw.org
Call: 312-368-1494
Nonsmoker's Rights
National Center for Nonsmoker's Rights
National Center for Nonsmoker's Rights Competition
Topic:
Prize: First Prize: $5,000; Second Prize: $3,000; Third Prize: $1,000; Plus (30) $1,000 travel grants
Deadline: May 16, 2008
Note: To be eligible, law students must submit a 1000-word outline of a legal or law-related action designed to protect nonsmokers. Winners will be selected only after an oral presentation of their project proposal. Early submission is strongly recommended.
For more information:
nosmokingcontest.org
E-mail: info@nosmokingcontest.org
Call: 202-223-8308
Real Property, Planning & Land Use
American Planning Association Planning and Law Division
R. Marlin Smith Writing Competition
Topic: Any question of significance in planning, planning law, land use law, local government law, or environmental law.
Prize: First Prize: $2,500; Second Prize: $1,000
Deadline: June 9, 2008
For more information:
http://www.planning.org/planningandlaw/writingcompetition.htm
Special Topics
American Judges Association, American Judges Foundation
Annual Law Student Essay Competition
Topic: Search and seizure arising from motor vehicle stops.
Prize: First Prize: $3,000; Second Prize: $1,500; Third Prize: $1,000.
Deadline: June 2, 2008
For more information:
http://aja.ncsc.dni.us/
Institute for Humane Studies Essay Contest
Harper Academic Research Competition
Topic: What factors lead to prosperity, progress and human flourishing?
Prize: First Prize: $1,000; Second Prize: $500; Third Prize: $250.
Deadline: February 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.theihs.org/grants_and_contest/id.1416/default.asp
The Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation
Brown Award for Excellence in Legal Writing
Topic: Any legal subject.
Prize: $10,000
Deadline: May 1, 2008
Note: You must have a letter from a faculty member recommending your paper for this award.
For more information:
http://www.brownsims.com/judgebrownaward.htm
Call: 713-528-4977
Tax Law
American College of Tax Counsel and the Theodore Tannenwald, Jr. Foundation for Excellence in Tax Scholarship
The 2008 Tannenwald Writing Competition
Topic: Any federal or state tax-related topic.
Prize: First Prize: $3,500; Second Prize: $2,500; Third Prize: $1,500.
Deadline: July 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.tannenwald.org/
E-mail: nabramo@wcl.american.edu
Federal Bar Association Section of Taxation
Law Student Writing Competition
Topic: Federal Income Taxation
Prize: First Prize: $1,500; Second Prize: $750
Deadline: January 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.fedbar.org/taxlaw_section.html
E-mail: fba@fedbar.org
Call: 202-785-1614
Technology
ABA Section of Science & Technology Law
Student Writing Contest
Topic: The internet has increased social networking in unprecedented scope and degree, not only for adults but also for children and teens. With a seemingly limitless opportunity for networking and sharing personal information have come questions about privacy. What are the privacy issues presented by these new technologies? Can current privacy laws and regimes adequately address the issues of this continually evolving new world?
Prize: Trip to the August 2008 ABA Annual Meeting in New York City, and possible publication.
Deadline: March 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.abanet.org/scitech/studentwriting.html
CT Corporation Legal Scholarship Fund
Topic: How Can Technology Change the Practice of Law for General Counsels and Attorneys Who Represent Their Corporations?
Prize: $2,500
For more information:
E-mail: marilyn.walter@brooklaw.edu
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara Computer and High Technology Law Journal Comment Contest
Topic: One of the following topics: patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, biotechnology, telecommunications, technology licensing, venture capital, antitrust, electronic commerce, computer law, cyberspace law, privacy, or any other current topic in high technology law.
Prize: First Prize: $2,000; Second Prize: $1,500; Third Prize: $1,000
Deadline: July 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.chtlj.org/
Call: 408-554-4197
University of Richmond
Richmond Journal of Law and Technology Biennial Writing Competition
Topic: Any law and technology topic, including biotechnology, intellectual property, patent and trademark, and the Internet.
Prize: First Prize: $1,200; Second Prize: $600; Third Prize: $100.
Deadline: February 8, 2008
For more information:
http://www.law.richmond.edu/jolt/writingcompetition.asp
Call: 804-289-8202
Transnational Law
University of Iowa College of Law Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems Journal
Trandafir International Business Writing Competition
Topic: Any topic of contemporary international business or economic concern with a legal nexus.
Prize: Publication and $2,000
Deadline: February 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.law.uiowa.edu/journals/tlcp/trandafir.php
Call: 319-335-9736
Trusts and Estates
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Mary Moers Wenig 2008 Student Writing Competition
Topic: Papers should address one or more legal issues in the area of trusts and estates and related taxation.
Prize: Publications and First Prize: $5,000; Second Prize: $3,000; Third Prize: $1,000.
Deadline: May 1, 2008
For more information:
http://www.actec.org/private/freeform/page.asp?PageID=403
Veterans Law
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Legal Writing Competition
Topic: Should Congress maintain, modify, or completely redesign the Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits adjudication process, and how would the result improve the current system?
Prize: First Prize: $3000; Second Prize: $1,500.
Deadline: April 30, 2008
For more information:
http://www.pva.org/
Women In the Law
National Association of Women Lawyers
Third Annual Selma Moidel Smith Law Student Writing Competition
Topic: Entrants should submit a paper on an issue concerning women's rights or the status of women in the law.
Prize: $500
Deadline: April 30, 2008
Note: Essays will be accepted from students enrolled at any law school during the 2007/2008 school year. The essay must be the law student author's own work and must not have been submitted for publication elsewhere. Notwithstanding the foregoing, students may incorporate professorial feedback as part of a course requirement or supervised writing project.
For more information:
E-mail: jsm40@pitt.edu
University of Leicester, UK
Victoria Fisher Memorial Prize Writing Competition
Topic: The Essay can be on any topic relating to Women and the Law. It must not exceed 10,000 words in length and must be typed in English and double spaced.
Prize: $500
Deadline: September 30, 2008
Note: Information as to wheter the essay was specially written for the compeititon or an essay that has already been submitted as a dissertation or as coursework will be accepted but please ensure that the tutor's comments and marks have been removed from the copy submitted, and the work shoud be re-read to check its suitability for submission. Essays must include a bibliography and will not be accepted in any form of binder.
For more information:
E-mail: l.henfrey@leicester.ac.uk
Call: +44(0)116-252-2363
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