Although they probably won't make up the majority of your financial aid, writing competitions are a great way to help finance your legal education without going into more debt. They can also help you hone your writing skills, show specialized interest in an area or areas of law, strengthen relationships with professors, and make yourself stand out when it comes to interviewing time.
Be sure to check your own school's website for school-specific opportunities and also this list of some of the best sources for finding writing competitions for law students:
ABA Law Student Division list of writing contests sponsored by all specialized divisions of the organization from Antitrust to Criminal Justice to Entertainment and Sports Law.
List of writing competitions that offer over $100,000 in prizes.
Written by Kathryn Sampson, Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas Law School, this blog keeps up to date information on writing competitions open to law students.
A comprehensive list of writing contests for law students in an easy-to-navigate format with interactive features.
Organized by deadline month and also by topic.
