Notre Dame Law School sponsors an annual writing competition on the topic of legal ethics. All students with an interest in legal ethics are invited and encouraged to participate.

  • The competition is open to all law students at U.S. and Canadian law schools.
  • Entries should concern any issue within the general category of legal ethics.
  • Entries must be original, unpublished work.
  • Entires must be a minimum of 5,000 words and a maximum of 15,000 words, inclusive of footnotes.
  • Coauthored essays may be submitted.
  • Submissions will be judged by Notre Dame Law School faculty.
  • A prize of $2,500 will be awarded for one winning entry.
  • All entries must be recieved before 5 p.m., April 1, 2026.
  • Include cover letter with contact information and name of current law school.

All entries should be submitted to:

Smith-Coheny Legal Ethics Writing Competition

Notre Dame Law School

Email: kkusisto@nd.edu

Phone: (574) 631-6898

Website: law.nd.edu/smith-coheny