Voices of Democracy: Law Day 2024

By Sidney Thomas and Nicholas Sorensen

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 2024 will focus on “democracy and encouraging Americans to participate in the 2024 elections by deepening their understanding of the electoral process; discussing issues in honest and civil ways; turning out to vote; and, finally, helping to move the country forward after free and fair election.” The North Carolina Bar Association’s Law Week and 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 we will be hosting this year’s celebration on Friday, May 3, 2024. Please see a list of competitions for students and legal professionals below.

Liberty Bell Award

The Liberty Bell Award is one of the most prestigious awards a North Carolinian can receive. The award is given to an individual who has made significant contributions or exemplifies lifelong service to the law in North Carolina. Past recipients have included prominent lawyers, judges, and legislators. To be considered, please submit nominations here by Friday, March 15, 2024. The winner will be recognized at the Law Day Celebration. For more information, please contact Sidney Thomas.

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. Four finalists are invited to attend the Law Day Celebration, and a $1,000 donation will be made in the first-place winner’s honor to a non-profit organization that addresses the issues the student identified in their speech. Students will need to sign up by Friday, March 1, 2024, on the competition website, and video submissions are due March 22, 2024. Please share with any students, educators, and parents! For more information, please contact Ashley Oldfield, and Sarah Mink.

Essay Competition

The Law Day Essay Contest is a fun and challenging experience for North Carolina students from sixth to twelfth grade, and their respective schools, to participate in being a voice for democracy. Three prizes will be awarded in each category this year. Essays must be submitted on or before March 10, 2024. Entries can be submitted electronically or by mail to the NCBA c/o Cheyenne Merrigan at 8000 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513, on or before the deadline of March 10, 2024. For more information, please contact Nicholas Sorensen.

Poster Competition

The Law Day Poster Art Contest provides a fun and challenging way for North Carolina’s youngest students to participate in Law Day. This year, the Young Lawyers Division invites students from Kindergarten through fifth Grade, and their respective schools, to design posters about Voices of Democracy. The committee will select the top three submissions based on creativity, imagination, and thoughtfulness. Winning students will receive a plaque and recognition at the Law Day Celebration, and a cash donation for their school. The deadline for submissions is March 10, and winners will be notified in April. Submissions can be submitted online or by mail to: NCBA c/o Cheyenne Merrigan, 8000 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC  27513. For more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Chris Flurry.

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 Justices and Court of Appeals Judges. This year’s regional competition will be held virtually on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Make no mistake, this will be a great opportunity for students to showcase their skills, to network with law students, attorneys, and judges, and to learn more about the law and what it means to be a member of the legal profession. The final competition will be held at the N.C. Supreme Court on Friday, May 3, 2024. Teams must register by Sunday, February 25, 2024. Please contact Zack Kaplan, and Trey Ellis with any questions.

For more information, please visit the NCBA 2023-24 Law Day website.