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Writing Competitions for Law Students: Dispute Resolution

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.  

Dispute Resolution

American Journal of Mediation National Dispute Resolution Writing Competition [the alternative dispute resolution field]

  • Sponsor: American College of Civil Trial Mediators
  • Topic: "Subject matter focus for entries can embrace the full range of the alternative dispute resolution field– consensus-based dispute resolution (e.g., negotiation, mediation), adjudicative processes (e.g., early neutral evaluation, binding or non-binding arbitration and private judging), or mixed processes (e.g., arb-med, med-arb, high low arbitration, baseball arbitration). Papers can also focus on ADR process design, practice techniques, specific case studies, related legislation, and ethical dilemmas and standards for dispute resolution professionals."
  • Format requirements: "While there are no firm page limits, there is an expectation that submitted works will be between fifteen and thirty double spaced pages, including footnotes."
  • Eligibility requirements: "The competition is open to all North American JD and LLM law students enrolled as of December 15, 2023."
  • Prizes: "The College will award a $5,000 CASH PRIZE for FIRST PLACE and a $2,000 CASH PRIZE for SECOND PLACE, ranking submittals as determined by a panel of judges of ACCTM Fellows together with the Editorial Board of the Journal. Winning entries along with a selection of submissions separately chosen by the Judges will be published in the ACCTM Journal."
  • Deadline: Entries are due no later than 11:59pm (EST) on December 15, 2024 and should be electronically submitted in Microsoft Word Format to:
    • American Journal of Mediation American College of Civil Trial Mediators

      C/O Sarah Evans, Journal Competition Administrator
      acctmjournalcontest@gmail.com

James B. Boskey Law Student Essay Contest on Dispute Resolution (annual)

  • Sponsor: American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution
  • Topic in 2024 Essay Competition was: This Section of Dispute Resolution page stated: "The essay may address any aspect of dispute resolution practice, theory, or research that the contestant chooses."
  • Format: This Section of Dispute Resolution page stated: "Essay"  2024 James Boskey Dispute Resolution Essay Competition Rules stated: "Essays must be 20 to 30 typewritten pages, including footnotes or endnotes. The text of the essay must be double-spaced, with twelve-point font and one-inch margins."
  • Eligibility requirements in 2024 Essay Competition included: "The competition is open to anyone, age 21 or older, who was a full-time or part-time J.D. law student, including students in joint J.D. degree programs, at an ABA-accredited law school during the 2023-2024 academic year.  Officers, directors and employees of the American Bar Association and their immediate household and family members are ineligible to enter the competition.  Previously published essays are not eligible.  If a student’s essay has been accepted for publication, the student must inform the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution at the time of initial submission to the competition."  "By entering, participants agree that the ABA shall have the right of first publication of the winning essay. Only one entry per participant."  "Each entry shall be the original work of a single individual."
  • Prize in 2024 Essay Competition was: This Section of Dispute Resolution page states: "One prize of $1,000 dollars will be awarded for the best entry as judged by the Boskey Essay Committee, comprised of representatives from the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution."  2024 James Boskey Dispute Resolution Essay Competition Rules state: "In addition, the winning essay will be published on the Dispute Resolution Website."
  • Deadline in 2024 Essay Competition was: June 7, 2024.