The American Bar Association hosts Law Day each year on the first Friday in May to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession. Law Day 2023 will focus on “reminding us that together, we can collaborate to overcome our differences, resolve our disputes, and preserve our democracy and republic.” The North Carolina Bar Association’s Law Week and Liberty Bell Committee host several competitions to recognize students and legal professionals throughout the State that have dedicated their time to pursuing justice and being a voice for all. The committee is excited to announce that we will be hosting this year’s celebration on Friday, May 5, 2023. Please see a list of competitions for students and legal professionals below.

Law Day 2022

Liberty Bell Award

The Liberty Bell Award is one of the most prestigious awards a North Carolinian can receive. The 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, and once all nominations are received, the Law Day Committee determines the annual winner. The deadline for Liberty Bell Award nominations is Friday, March 17, 2023. For more information, please contact Will Walton.

McIntyre Award

The North Carolina Bar Foundation’s McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge allows middle school 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 Monday, February 28, 2023, 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 Ashley Page, and Ashley Oldfield.

Essay Competition

The Law Day Essay Contest is a fun and challenging experience for North Carolina students in sixth through twelfth grades and their respective schools to participate in Law Day. Three prizes will be awarded in each category this year. Essays must be postmarked on or before March 10, 2023, and entries should be mailed or emailed to YLD c/o Nicholas Sorenson at 414 S. White St, 306 Wake Forest, NC 27587.

Poster Competition

The Law Day Poster Art Contest is a fun and challenging experience for North Carolina students in Kindergarten through fifth grade and 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 March 10, 2023, and entries should be mailed or emailed to YLD c/o Chris Flurry, 4131 Parklake Ave, Suite 400 Raleigh, NC 27612.

Moot Court Competition

The Moot Court Competition brings together middle and high school students for a chance to take on real-life legal scenarios to 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 virtually on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Make no mistake, this will be a great opportunity for students to showcase their skills and network with law students, attorneys, and judges to learn more about the law and what it means to join the legal field. The final competition will be held at the N.C. Supreme Court on Friday, May 5, 2023. Teams must register by Sunday, February 26, 2023. Please contact Sidney Thomas and Katie Riddle.

Please share this information with teachers and students in your area. For more information and to access registration forms, please visit the NCBA 2022-23 Law Day website.

February 6, 2023/by NCBA YLD