Law School Admission Council Announces Writing Competition

Initiative Aims at Promoting Diversity in Law and Legal Education
 

The Law School Admission Council, which is committed to promoting access and equity in law and legal education, today announced its biennial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion writing competition for law students. The competition is designed to advance the dialogue about recruitment and retention strategies that can attract a more diverse class of law students, thus bringing attention to LSAC’s goal of increasing diversity in the legal profession.

The topic for this year’s competition is “why a diverse and inclusive bar is essential for equality, justice, and the rule of law.” All currently enrolled law students are eligible for the competition, and submissions must be received by LSAC no later than March 31, 2020. One winner from each of three categories (1L, 2L, and 3L/4L) will receive a $5,000 prize. In addition, one winning paper will be submitted to a legal publication.

“One of our guiding principles at LSAC is that the legal system functions best when it reflects the communities it serves,” LSAC President and CEO Kellye Y. Testy said. “The topic of this year’s writing competition helps bring attention to the need for diversity and inclusion in law, and we look forward to hearing law students’ thoughts on this important issue.”

The competition is one of several initiatives that LSAC supports with the goal of increasing diversity in law and legal education. Those initiatives include organizing national and regional pipeline workshops that promote the development of programs geared toward students from diverse backgrounds; and providing information, resources, and programs for students of color, students living with a disability, and LGBTQ students.

For more information about this year’s writing competition, please contact LSAC’s Diversity Office at diversityoffice@lsac.org.