RPTE eReport logo
  • A Bi-Monthly Electronic Publication for Section Members
  • October 2012

Law Students


2012 Law Student Writing Contest Winners

First place
Chelsea Ray of University of Oregon
"’Til Death Do Us Part: A Proposal for Handling Digital Assest After Death"

Second place
Catherine Hall of University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law
"Valid Regulation of Land-Use or an Out-and-Out Plan of Extortion?"

Third place
Samuel King of University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law
"Development Visions for Oahu"


The goal of the RPTE student writing contest is to encourage and reward law student writing on the subjects of real property or trust and estate law. The essay contest is designed to attract students to these law specialties, and to encourage scholarship and interest in these areas. Articles submitted for judging are encouraged to be of timely topics and have not been previously published.

We extend a special thank you to our judges: Bob Paul, Michele McCue, Susan Gary, Ed Brading, David Thomas, Birch Douglass, James Burkhard and Michael Ostermeyer. The contest could not have been possible without their time, dedication and expert guidance on this project.

Chelsea Ray, the first place winner, will receive $2,500 cash, a one-year free membership in the Section and free round-trip airfare and weekend accommodations to attend the Section's Fall Leadership Meeting, November 8-11, 2012 in Palm Beach, FL (valued at approximately $1,000). In addition, Chelsea's essay will be considered for publication in a future issue of the Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Journal. Catherine Hall, the second place winner, will receive $1,500 cash, and Samuel King, the third place winner, will receive $1,000 cash.

For more information, please contact Hillary Clark at Hillary.clark@americanbar.org.