Writing Competition – Committee on Animals and the Law, NY State Bar

The Committee on Animals and the Law of the New York State Bar Association is very pleased to announce the Fourth Annual Student Writing Competition. The deadline for submission is June 30, 2011.

The Committee on Animals and the Law was established to provide information resources for the New York State Bar Association’s members and the public about non-human, animal related humane issues, which arise from and have an effect upon our legal system. This competition seeks to foster legal scholarship among law students in the area of animals and the law. This competition provides law students with an incentive and opportunity to learn more about this area of law.

Law students (which include J.D., L.L.M., Ph.D., and S.J.D. candidates) are invited to submit to the Committee on Animals and the Law an article concerning any area of Animal Law. All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of attorneys and other professionals practicing or otherwise involved in animal law. The winner will be chosen in accordance with the attached rules. The first place winner will receive $1,000 and a certificate of achievement. The second place winner will receive $500 and a certificate of achievement.

RULES

Topic: Any topic on Animal Law.

Eligibility: To be eligible for consideration, the submission must be written by a student currently enrolled (full time or part time) in an ABA-accredited law school. Students expecting to receive their degree in 2011 are eligible for consideration. The submission must be written by one and only one student, i.e., papers jointly written by more than one student or that have been subjected to line editing by professors or advisors shall not be considered. No paper that has been previously published in any form shall be considered.

Deadline: Papers must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2011.

Award Criteria: Written submissions will be judged based on quality, clarity, originality, and organization. All essays must also meet the following criteria:

Length: Type written, double spaced, no less than 12 point Times New Roman font, on 8 ½ inch by 11 inch paper, with 1 inch margins, and no more than 25 pages, including footnotes. Footnotes should be single spaced, and no less than 10 point font.

Format: One hard copy of the written submission and one electronic copy in Microsoft Word format on a disk or CD must be submitted by mail, postmarked no later than June 30, 2011, and addressed to:

Kim Hojohn, Liaison
Committee on Animals and the Law
New York State Bar Association
One Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207

Cover Page: Entrants must submit a cover page indicating the submitter’s name, law school, expected year of graduation, mailing address, email address, and telephone number.

Prizes Awarded:
1st place: $1,000 and a certificate of achievement
2nd place: $500 and a certificate of achievement