chevron-down Created with Sketch Beta.

    Public Contract Law Journal Writing Competition

    Jump to:

    Through our  annual writing competition, the PCL Section introduces itself to the next generation of public contract lawyers. In addition to cash awards, quality papers are considered for publication in the Public Contract Law Journal. Papers should address a topical issue of interest to the public contract and grant law community.

    The competition is conducted in two divisions — law students and young lawyers/LL.M students.  Each division will be judged separately, and separate prizes will be awarded to the winner(s) of each division.

    Qualifying entrants must be members in good standing of the ABA and Section of Public Contract Law. Membership information, including reduced rates for current law students, may be obtained by contacting the ABA Service Center at 800.285.2221 or visiting ambar.org/pcjoin.

    Rules and Deadline

    To submit your entry, read the rules and download the form here, then email the attachment to Patty Brennan. Deadline is September 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

    2023 Writing Competition Winners

    Congrats to our 2023 Public Contract Law Journal writing competition winners!

    Division 1

    • 1st Place — Kendall Archer — Reining the False Claims Act into the Bounds of the Excessive Fines Clause

    • 2nd Place — Ethan Syster— Business Risk and Competitive Integrity: A Discretionary Approach to Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Procurement

    • 3rd Place — Dennis Mema — Prioritizing the People in the Procurement of Election Infrastructure

    Division II

    • 1st Place — Joshua Fix — Saving Other Transaction Agreements from Bid Protest Review:  How to Keep OTs as Innovative and Flexible Tools for Research and Development Reining the False Claims Act into the Bounds of the Excessive Fines Clause

    2022 Writing Competition Winners

    Congrats to our 2022 Public Contract Law Journal writing competition winners!

    Division I

    • 1st Place — Jonathan C. Clark — Small Business in Space: Updates to Space-Related Small Business Procurement in Light of the Space Force’s Proposed Acquisition Framework
    • 2nd Place — Emily Golchini — Rewriting Medicare Part D Acquisitions in Aussie English: Lessons from Australia’s Healthcare Model
    • 3rd Place — Taylor McDaniels — Improving Broadband in Appalachia: How Municipal Broadband Networks Can Bring High-Speed Internet to Millions

    Division II

    • 1st Place — Kenneth Sachs — Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) - Private vs. Public Sector and National Security: Closing the Gap