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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.
Dr. Emanuel Stein and Kenneth Stein Memorial Law Student Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025
First Place: $3,000
Second Place: $2,000
Third Place: $1,000
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.
Sage IT Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: December 7, 2025
First Place: $1,000 scholarship
More information can be found here.
Dukemineier Awards Student Writing Competition
Entry Deadline: Monday, December 22, 2025
First Place: $1,000
More information can be found here.
More information can be found here.
Judicature Writing Competition for Emerging Scholars
Entry Deadline: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and the option to publish the winning entry in a future print edition of Judicature.
More information can be found here.
Kimura London & White LLP - Irvine Law Firm Annual Scholarship
Entry Deadline: December 31, 2025
First Place: $1,000
More information can be found here.
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.
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.
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