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.
John F. Burton Jr. College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Law Student Writing Competition.
Entry Deadline: Saturday, January 31, 2026
First place: $3,000 (An additional $1,000 to the winner’s law school scholarship fund). The winner’s article will also be considered for publication in the Workers’ First Watch, The Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG) magazine, and the ABA Tort and Insurance Practice Section Law Journal. The winner will also be invited (expenses paid) to the Annual College Induction Dinner to be honored during the program.
Second place: $1,500
Third place: $1,000
More information can be found here.
Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition on Regulatory and Administrative Law
Entry Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026
First Place: $1,500
More information can be found here.
Edward C. Mendrzycki Award
Entry Deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026
First Place: $5,000, airfare, a two night stay and registration to the Spring 2026 National Legal Malpractice Conference in Miami, Florida.
More information can be found here.
American Indian Law Review Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: February 27, 2026
First Place: $1,500 and publication by the American Indian Law Review
More information can be found here.
Dorothy E. Roberts Public Interest Essay Competition
Entry Deadline: Saturday, February 28, 2026
First Place: A $5,000 grant to implement a public interest project related to the article and a $2,000 cash prize.
More information can be found here.
Second Amendment Research and Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Sunday, March 1, 2026
First Place: $3,000
Second Place: $2,000
More information can be found here.
Hon. William C. Conner Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026
First Place: $10,000
Second Place: $7,000
Third Place: $3,000
More information can be found here.
Trandafir Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Friday, March 13, 2026
First Place: $2,500
More information can be found here.
2026 Prize in International Insolvency Studies
Entry Deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2026
More information can be found here.
Matsui Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Sunday, March 29, 2026
First Place: $2,000 award and the winning entry will be published by the UCLA Asian Pacific American Law Journal.
More information can be found here.
Howard C. Schwab Essay Contest
Entry Deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026
First Place: $1,500
Second Place: $750
Third Place: $350
More information can be found here.
Smith-Doheny Legal Ethics Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
First Place: $2,500
More information can be found here.
Dale Cendali Prize
Entry Deadline: TBD
First Place: $500
More information can be found here.
29th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Contest
Entry Deadline: TBD
First Place: $10,000 scholarship, two ELI Grammy Week luncheon tickets, Tickets to the 69th Annual Grammy Awards + travel and accommodations, and mentorship session with a top entertainment attorney
Runners up: $2,500 scholarship, ELI Grammy Week luncheon ticket + travel and accommodations and mentorship session with a top entertainment attorney
More information can be found here.
Law School Calendar 
Law School News
November 12, 2025
