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Writing Competitions for Law Students: Human Rights

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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.  

Human Rights

Human Rights Essay Award (annual)

  • Sponsor: Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University Washington College of Law
  • Topic chosen by the Academy in 2024 was: "Protection and Guarantee of Human Rights in Digital Environments."
  • Format requirements in 2024 included: "The essays must not exceed 35 pages, including footnotes."  "In addition, each applicant must also include a curriculum vitae (CV)/resume of no more than three pages in length explaining their experience or interest in human rights issues."
  • Eligibility requirements in 2024 included: "Must hold a law degree, Juris Doctor, (J.D.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), or equivalent."  "Shall have a demonstrated experience or interest in international human rights law."  "Applicants must submit an unpublished legal essay in English or Spanish written solely by that person.  Essays written by two or more people are not accepted!"
  • Awards in 2024 were: "The award for the Best Essays in English and Spanish includes a full tuition scholarship to the Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for either the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance option.  Travel, housing, and per diem living expenses are not included and should be covered solely by the winners."  "The winners will receive a certificate that accredits them as such and that can be presented to any organization or educational institution if the recipient considers it important.  The Award will be the publication of the essays in The American University International Law Review (AUILR)* if publishing standards are met."  Also awarded in 2024: Honorable Mention for Second Best Essay and Third Best Essay in English.  Honorable Mention for Second Best Essay and Third Best Essay in Spanish.
  • Deadline for submission in 2024 was extended to: February 7, 2024.

Human Rights Essay Contest (annual)

  • Sponsor: International Law Section, The State Bar of Texas
  • Topic in 2024 Contest was: "The essay may address any aspect of international human rights law that the contestant chooses."
  • Format requirements in 2024 Contest stated: "Essay"  "There are no minimum or maximum word limits"
  • Eligibility requirements in 2024 Contest included: "The International Law Section sponsors this annual essay contest as part of its commitment to provide information and guidance on international human rights issues to Texas lawyers and law students. The contest is open to any law student with a personal or essay nexus to Texas (e.g. Texas law school, Texas resident, topic addressing Texas, etc.)."
  • Prizes in 2024 Contest were: "A first-place prize of $1,500 will be awarded for the best entry as judged by representatives from the Section. If sufficient entries are received, second and third place prizes may also be given. The winner(s) will also be publicly recognized at the Annual Institute. Additionally, essay(s) may be offered publication in the Section’s International Newsletter."
  • Deadline for submission was: April 1, 2024.

Rule of Law Writing Competition

  • Sponsor: Beverly Hills Bar Foundation
  • Topic: "Encourages law students to submit analytical writings on what the rule of law is, or should be, the interpretation or implementation of existing or suggested legislation or case law and whether or not it furthered the equal and fair regulation of civil and human rights.  Submissions are accepted on an aspect of the Rule of Law, demonstrating how the Rule of Law affected the topic, defining the Rule of Law, criticizing the Rule of Law, or demonstrating the economic social or political effects of the Rule of Law."
  • Limit on Entries: "Each author may submit one entry.  Each law school may submit up to three entries."
  • Format and Eligibility requirements in prior Competition Rules included: "This competition is open to Law Review Articles authors who are juris doctorate and LLM candidates enrolled at an ABA or California State accredited law school during the eligibility period and whose article is published during the period. The eligibility period is the year preceding the Due Date."
  • Prize(s): "Winners receive scholarships to help pay for law school tuition."  An April 11, 2024 email announcement about the 2024 Competition also stated: "Winning entries will be featured in BHBA’s online magazine, Modern Lawyer, and distributed to our email list of more than 60,000 recipients. Awardees are also invited to BHBF’s networking event on May 9th [2024], to receive their scholarship awards and be introduced to attorneys and judges in attendance. As an enhancement to the awards, recipients are offered the opportunity to take part in an online CLE webinar with each of this year’s ROL winners giving a 15 minute moderated presentation of their articles."
  • Deadline: The typical deadline for entries is January 31.