Every first Friday of May, the American Bar Association hosts Law Day to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession. Law Day 2021 will focus on “reminding us that we the people share the responsibility to promote the rule of law, defend liberty, and pursue justice.” During the North Carolina Bar Association’s Law Week, the Liberty Bell Committee hosts several competitions to recognize students and legal professionals throughout the state who have dedicated their time to pursuing justice and being a voice for all. The committee is excited to announce that it will be hosting this year’s Law Day celebration on Friday, May 7, 2021. Please see a list of competitions for students and legal professionals below.

Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell award is one of the most prestigious awards a North Carolinian can receive. The annual award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions or exemplify lifelong service to the law in North Carolina. Past recipients have included prominent lawyers, judges, and legislators. To be considered for the Liberty Bell award, a person must be nominated. Once all nominations are received, the Law Day Committee determines the winner. The deadline for Liberty Bell Award nominations is Friday, March 19, 2021. For more information, please contact Vince Walton, [email protected] or Madison Alligood, [email protected].

McIntyre Award

The McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge allows middle and high school students to develop plans to help their communities and share them through public speaking on citizenship. Finalists are invited to attend the Law Day Celebration, and the first-place winner will have a $1,000 donation made in the student’s honor to an organization that addresses the issues the student identified through the program. Students will need to sign up by Friday, February 26, 2021 on the competition website, and the competition materials will be due later in the spring. Please share with any students, educators, and parents! For more information, please contact Ashle Page, [email protected].

Essay Competition

The Law Day Essay Contest is a fun and challenging experience for North Carolina students in the 6th through 12th grades and an opportunity for their respective schools to participate in Law Day. This year, three prizes will be awarded in each category. Essays must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, March 2, 2021, and entries should be mailed or emailed to YLD c/o Kayla Russell, Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC, 110 Oakwood Drive, Suite 500, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, [email protected].

Poster Competition

The Law Day Poster Art Contest is a fun and challenging experience for North Carolina students in the 3rd through 5th grades and an opportunity for their respective schools to participate in Law Day. Three prizes will be awarded for each category this year! Posters must be postmarked on or before Saturday, March 6, 2021, and entries should be mailed or emailed to YLD c/o Kayla Russell, Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC, 110 Oakwood Drive, Suite 500, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, [email protected].

Moot Court Competition

The Moot Court Competition brings together middle and high school students for a chance to take on real-life legal scenarios and showcase their preparation, logical reasoning, and oral skills. These students argue in front of volunteer attorneys, and those who reach the final round have a chance to present their argument to N.C. Supreme Court Justice and Court of Appeals Judges. This year’s regional competition will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2021, via a virtual platform. Make no mistake, this will be a great opportunity for students to showcase their skills, network with law students, attorneys, and judges, and learn more about the law and what it means to join the legal field. Teams must register by Friday, February 28, 2021. Please contact Kadija Locklear with additional questions at [email protected].

Please share this information with teachers and students in your area. For more information and to access registration forms, please visit the following link: https://www.ncbar.org/members/communities/divisions/young-lawyers-division/young-lawyers-division-law-week/

February 24, 2021/by NCBA YLD