Skip Sub Menu
Writing Competitions
Writing competitions are a great way for students to sharpen their legal writing skills, get published, and possibly win cash prizes.
Please visit the AccessLex Institute for currently available legal contest opportunities.
Writing Competitions | AccessLex Institute
See also the American Bar Association's list of writing competitions and law student contests
Howard C. Schwab Memorial Essay Contest
Entry Deadline: Friday, April 18, 2025
1st Prize: $1,500
2nd Prize: $750
3rd Prize: $350
More information can be found here.
Annual AUWCL National Health Law Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Monday, May 5, 2025
First Place: $1,500
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $500
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $500
More information can be found here.
Health Law Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Friday, May 16, 2025
First place: $7,500
Second place: $4,000
Third place: $1,000
More information can be found here.
The Marshall Manne Schulman Competition for Student Papers in Criminal Law and/or Criminal Procedure
Entry Deadline: Friday, May 30, 2025
Entry Deadline: Friday, May 30, 2025
Grand Prize: $2,500 cash prize, published in the Criminal Law Journal, one-year student membership in the Criminal Law Section
Three Honorable Mention Prizes: $1,000 cash prize, published in the Criminal Law Journal, and one-year student membership in the Criminal Law Section
More information can be found here.
The Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation 32nd Annual Brown Award
Entry Deadline: Saturday, May 30, 2025
First Place: $15,000
Second Place: $7,500
Third Place: $5,000
Finalist: $2,500
More information can be found here.
Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Student Writing Contest
Entry Deadline: Sunday, May 31, 2025
1st Prize: $2,500 (plus full tuition to specific graduate programs)
2nd Prize: $1,500
3rd Prize: $1,000
More information can be found here.
The American College of Employee Benefits Counsel Employee Benefits Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Monday, June 1, 2025
Sidney M. Perlstadt Memorial Award: $2,500
Brian J. Dougherty Memorial Award $2,500
More information can be found here.
Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Monday, June 1, 2025
1st Prize: A Full Tuition Scholarship to the Heckerling Graduate Program in Estate Planning at the University of Miami School of Law for the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 academic year, a $5,000 award, and publication in the ACTEC Law Journal.
2nd Prize: $3,000 award, online publication on The ACTEC Foundation’s website, and possible publication in the ACTEC Law Journal.
3rd Prize: $1,000 award, online publication on The ACTEC Foundation’s website, and possible publication in the ACTEC Law Journal.
More information can be found here.
Professor William R. Ginsberg Memorial Essay Contest
Entry Deadline: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
1st place: $1,000 and publication by the NYSBA. 2nd and 3rd place: $500 and $250 respectively – consideration of publication by the NYSBA. Certificates.
More information can be found here.
Georgetown Law Technology Review Student Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Friday, June 6, 2025
The author(s) of the first place paper will be awarded $1,000. The author(s) of the top paper on an artificial intelligence related topic will be awarded $1,000.
More information can be found here.
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers Law Student Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Sunday, June 15, 2025
First Place: $3,000; Second Place: $1,000; and Third Place: $500
More information can be found here.
More information can be found here.
Scholarship Contest from Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega
Entry Deadline: Monday, June 30, 2025
One winner will be awarded the scholarship amount, and notable entries may also be published on the Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega website. Check will be sent directly to the winner’s college.
More information can be found here.
The Warren E. Burger Prize
Entry Deadline: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The author of the winning essay will receive a cash prize presented to the recipient at the American Inns of Court annual Celebration of Excellence at the Supreme Court of the United States.
More information can be found here.
Selma Moidel Law Student Writing Competition in California Legal History
Entry Deadline: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
1st place: $5,000
2nd place: $2,500
3rd place: $1,000
More information can be found here.
William W. Greenhalgh Student Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize that may be presented at an agreed-upon CJS event.
More information can be found here.
American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers (ACCFSL) Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2025
The awards include a cash payment, a certificate or other token of recognition, and (if applicable) travel expenses to attend the College’s annual dinner.
More information can be found here.
The Blanch Law Firm Scholarship
Entry Deadline: Rolling deadline. Submissions due within 14 days of receipt of assignment.
Cash award totaling $5,000
More information can be found here.
Law School Calendar 
Law School News
April 10, 2025
