The Administrative Law Section of the Virginia State Bar (“VSB”) was organized to sponsor programs and seminars on administrative law, provide a forum where members can share research, source materials and experiences, and to concern itself with any and all questions and issues involving administrative law. The Administrative Law Section is sponsoring a Student Writing Competition (the “Competition”) in order to promote the dissemination of ideas and scholarly writing in the field of administrative law.
Participants should take advantage of the fact that administrative law is a very broad and diverse field, encompassing the regulation of an array of different industries. Articles may address any traditional area of the law as applied the process of administrative law (e.g., Virginia and Federal Administrative Procedure Acts) or developing areas of law unique to the regulation of a particular industry (e.g., Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Federal Communications Commission, State public utility commissions, Department of Motor Vehicles).
Deadline
Submissions are currently closed.
Competition Details
Prize:
There are three levels of prizes.
First Place:
$350 and consideration for publication on the Virginia Administrative Law Section’s newsletter publication.
Second Place:
$150 and consideration for publication on the Virginia Administrative Law Section’s newsletter publication.
Third Place:
Consideration for publication on the Virginia Administrative Law Section’s newsletter publication.
Eligibility:
The Competition is open to all students enrolled and in good standing during the 2020-21 academic year at any Virginia law school, or any Virginia resident enrolled in law school outside Virginia (with proof of residency).
Topic, Format and Submission:
Articles must relate to administrative law issue or the practice of administrative law. There is no minimum length, but the articles should target 1,250 words, excluding end-notes. Entries must include the student’s name, address, telephone number, law school, expected graduation date, and the following signed statement: “I declare that during the 2020-21 academic year, I was enrolled and in good standing (i) at a Virginia law school, or (ii) at a law school outside Virginia as a Virginia resident. I further declare that this entry was written solely by me while enrolled and in good standing in law school.” The student author’s inclusion of this statement in the transmittal email, together with his or her typed name between two forward slashes (i.e., /Jane M. Doe/) shall constitute a signature for the purpose of the signed statement requirement.
Judging:
Entries will be judged by members of the Administrative Law Section, in their sole discretion. Criteria for judging will include:
- Subject matter originality;
- Relevance to administrative law practice;
- Quality of the analysis and research;
- Quality of writing;
- Proper reliance on cited authorities;
- Clarity of expression;
- Grammar, spelling and vocabulary.
Preference may be given to topics demonstrating particular relevance to contemporary events, addressing unsettled issues of law, or presenting novel and unique perspectives.
Other Terms & Conditions:
Articles must have been written solely by the author while enrolled in law school. No article submitted as an entry in this Competition may be published in any other forum until the Competition has ended and the winner has been announced. After that time, articles submitted may be published without limitation. Participants grant the VSB and the Administrative Law Section a non-exclusive license to publish submitted article at the VSB’s and the Administrative Law Section’s discretion. The VSB and the Administrative Law Section reserve the right to make editorial revisions to the author’s article prior to publication. Other publications of the article by the author must include a footnote acknowledging the award from the VSB Administrative Law Section. By submitting an article in this competition, the author agrees to be bound by the rules, terms and conditions governing the competition and the award of any prizes therein. The author agrees to be responsible for any applicable tax associated with prize money. The Administrative Law Section reserves the right not to make an award in this Competition if no entries of acceptable quality are received.
Questions?
Please contact Mitch Burton, at [email protected], for more information.