Skip to Main Content

Writing Competitions for Law Students: Armed Forces Law & National Security Law

Tip

Sponsors/facilitators of student writing competitions provide more detailed instructions and rules at their websites.  Students need to review the information and rules available at these websites.  

Armed Forces Law

American Bar Association Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law: Law Student Writing Contest

  • Sponsor: American Bar Association Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law
  • 2023 Competition Topic was: The military’s application of criminal law (also known as military justice) 
  • 2023 Competition Format was: "Submissions may advocate a position, educate the reader, or analyze one or more cases."  "Submissions may not exceed 14,000 total words including footnotes"
  • Eligibility requirements in 2023 Competition included: "The Writing Contest is open to law students who are, at the time of entry, (a) enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school and seeking a J.D. degree, (b) members of the ABA, (c) at least 21 years old, and (d) legal residents of the United States.  Directors, officers and employees of the ABA and their immediate family or household members are not eligible."
  • 2023 Competition Prize was: "The Writing Contest winner will be eligible to receive a framed certificate signed by the SCAFL Chair.  The SCAFL Chair will formally announce the winner at a SCAFL meeting at the ABA Midyear Meeting. Attending the ABA Midyear Meeting will be at the winner’s expense. The winner’s name will also be announced and title of the written work will be posted on the SCAFL public website."
  • Deadline was: Nov. 10, 2023.

National Security Law

Feb. 23, 2024: Email sent to the Air Force Judge Advocate General's School to try to obtain information about a possible 2024 National Security Law Writing Competition. 

  • Sponsors: Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School, in partnership with Air Force JAG School Foundation, Inc.
  • 2023 Competition Topic was: The Policy Boundaries between the Space and Cyberspace Domains.  For background on the closed competition, see: The Judge Advocate General's School: 2023 National Security Law Writing Competition.
  • 2023 Competition Format was: "Original and Previously Unpublished Papers" " Entries must be a minimum of 4,000 words and a maximum of 7,000 words, including footnotes"
  • Eligibility requirements in 2023 Competition included: "The competition is open to all U.S. and international law school students and graduates."  "Members of the faculty of AFJAGS shall not participate in the contest or review any entry on behalf of an entrant."
  • 2023 Competition (closed) Prizes were: "First Place – Cash prize of $1,500; Second Place – Cash prize $1,000; Third Place – Cash prize $500"
  • Deadline for Submissions in 2023 Competition was: May 31, 2023.