The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy and the University of Pennsylvania Law School's American Constitution Society student chapter announce the sixth annual National Student Writing Competition for law students nationwide. The student authors of the top three papers will receive special recognition at the ACS National Convention in the summer of 2010 and a cash prize for their work. The winner will be awarded $3,000. Each of the two runners-up will receive $1,000.

The American Constitution Society welcomes all papers furthering and promoting a progressive vision of the Constitution, law, and public policy. Entrants are encouraged to view this topic broadly, and we welcome submissions on a variety of substantive areas. Examples of possible topics include:

·
access to the courts,

·
civil liberties,

·
consumer rights,

·
criminal justice,

·
disability rights,

·
freedom of speech,

·
GLBT rights,

·
human rights,

·
immigration,

·
labor law,

·
voting and the political process,

·
privacy,

·
protection of health, safety, and the environment,

·
racial equality,

·
religion,

·
separation of powers and federalism, and

·
women's reproductive rights and reproductive freedom

Papers will be judged on the quality of their analysis and writing. The judging committee will include federal judges and leading academics. The top paper will also receive an offer of publication in the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 19, 2010.