CASH PRIZE! Writing Competition – Construction – Renewable Energy – Real Estate
The Construction Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association invites all 2Ls and 3Ls to showcase their writing skills and compete for two prizes, awarded to the best submission on this year’s topic. The goal is to encourage students to explore the practice of construction law and its connection to other practice areas.
First Place: $1,000
Second Place: $500
Submissions are due by April 15th, 2023.
Winners will be announced on May 1st, 2023, and will receive their prizes at the Construction Law Section meeting on May 18th, 2023 at 12:00 pm, at the MSBA offices in downtown Minneapolis. (Alternative arrangements can be made if a winner is unable to attend the meeting.) The winning submission will also be considered for publication in a future issue of Bench and Bar, the magazine of the MSBA. Good luck!
WRITING TOPIC:
For this year’s writing topic, please explore the implications of renewable energy development on construction law in 1,000 words or less:
Renewable energy, including solar, wind, and waste-to-energy power development, is one of the hottest topics in the news today. As with any frontier industry, renewable energy at times seems to move faster than the law can keep up. This has important practical and public policy implications for clients in the construction industry. For construction law practitioners, the rise of renewable energy presents exciting opportunities and challenges for their clients, from local governments to energy companies to contractors and design professionals. Choose one type of client, and one legal issue, from the lists below, and analyze how renewable energy development affects your chosen client group with respect to the chosen legal issue:
| Client Types:
Project owners Local municipalities Contractors Design professionals Citizens Landlords Regulatory commissions/agencies |
Legal Issues:
Zoning and planning Funding and development Multiple parcel acquisition / lease negotiations Corporate structure and organization Design and construction Maintenance and operation Regulatory approval and compliance |
Please research and cite to at least 3 appropriate sources, including case law, statutes, construction industry publications and form contracts, local ordinances, pending legislation, and other reputable sources.
Send submissions to Kelly Kozicky, MSBA Section Manager, by email at: kkozicky@mnbars.org