The Probate, Trusts and Estates Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, and Ramsey County Bar Association invites all eligible law students to submit original essays as part of the Section’s inaugural writing competition.
$5,000 PRIZE!
The winning submission will be considered for publication in a future issue of Bench and Bar, and/or presentation as part of a CLE program. The author of the winning submission will also receive complimentary tuition to the 2023 Probate and Trust Law Section Conference.
WRITING TOPIC:
While many people associate the phrase “access to justice” with the criminal justice system, Americans also experience barriers that result in unmet civil legal needs. This year’s writing competition focuses on access to justice within the field of probate, trusts and estates law.
For this year’s writing competition, identify one or more barriers that prevent access to justice in the areas of probate, trusts and estates law, and provide ideas for how to remove those barriers.
Submissions should be research-based and use endnotes to cite to appropriate sources, such as case law, statutes, industry publications, and other reputable sources.
Who May Enter: (i) Any current J.D. candidate enrolled at the University of Minnesota Law School, University of St. Thomas Law School, or Mitchell Hamline School of Law; and (ii) any current J.D. candidate enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school within the United States who is interested in practicing in Minnesota.
All submissions must be received by Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 at 5pm.
Send submissions to the attention of Tram Nguyen at tnguyen@mnbars.org with the subject line “Probate, Trusts and Estates Writing Competition.” Eligible submissions will include two separate documents:
- A cover letter that provides the writer’s name, address, phone number, email address, school of attendance, and month and year of anticipated law school graduation.
- An original article that meets the following requirements:
- 1,000 1,500 words, exclusive of citations. The contents of the article must not include any identifying information.
- Citation to authority in endnotes in the form prescribed by The Bluebook; endnotes to be few in number and limited to citing specific authorities; string citations and lengthy endnotes discouraged.
- 8 1/2” x 11” paper; one-inch margins; double spaced; 12-point, Times New Roman font
- Legal magazine style piece preferredVisit mnbar.org/members/sections/probate-and-trust-law-section for more information.