Purpose

Since its inception, The Holmes Law Firm (HLF) has dedicated itself to the utilization of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes and procedures to fairly, impartially and justly resolve complex disputes between and among parties in accordance with their original contractual intent.  The delivery of these ADR services is our calling, and it amounts to nothing less than the provisioning of PRIVATE JUSTICE (PJ) to our service beneficiaries. We believe that Private Justice is the ultimate object and must become the secured future of ADR. To facilitate these ends and promote the HLF PJ brand of ADR and encourage scholarship, understanding and acceptance of Private Justice as the ultimate object of ADR, The Holmes Law Firm is announcing its first annual ADR Private Justice Prize writing competition.

Eligibility

J. D. and graduate law students enrolled in any accredited U.S. or Foreign law school during the academic year 2010-2011 are eligible to submit papers for consideration.

Topics

Any legal or law practice topic related to the conjunction of ADR and Private Justice.

Formatting

Papers submitted should not exceed 40 pages (double-spaced, in 12 point type, with an inch margin on each side), not including footnotes. Footnotes should be single spaced starting on a separate page at the end of the document.

All papers should be submitted as Word or PDF attachments through emails sent to dvitoshka@theholmeslawfirm.com.

No information identifying the author or law school should be included in the text of the paper or in the file name associated with the paper. That information and an address and telephone number should be provided in the email message along with any anticipated email address change.

Submissions may include papers prepared for class assignments, law journals or other purposes, as well as those written especially for the Private Justice Prize Competition.

Student papers submitted for publication in law reviews or other law school journals or periodicals but not yet published are eligible for the PJP Competition, provided that (i) the version submitted for the Competition does not reflect any changes made to the paper after submission of the manuscript to any publication and (ii) the College receives any and all consents necessary to publish.

Winner selection panel

Winning papers will be selected by the Private Justice Prize Writing Competition Committee based on the criteria set forth in the following section. The composition and operation of the membership is at the sole discretion of the Holmes Law Firm. The determination of the Committee is final. It is anticipated that winners will be notified and a public announcement made on or around February 12, 2011 in conjunction with the celebration of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

Evaluation criteria

Winning papers will be selected by the Writing Competition Committee based on any factors they deem relevant. Among the factors that the Committee will consider are: (i) depth and creativity of legal analysis; (ii) thoroughness of legal research; (iii) organization and writing style; (iv) difficulty of subject matter; and (v) consideration of Private Justice and/or ADR practice, law, theory and policy concerns in the commercial, consumer and/or employment context.

Awards

First Prize:
Includes a cash award of $1,000, plaque or trophy designating this person as the “Private Justice Prize” winner for 2011,  publication on The Holmes Law Firm website and other professional publications and venues, and an all-expense-covered* trip to the American Bar Association ADR Spring Meeting.

Second Prize:
Includes a cash award of $500, “Private Justice Prize” winner’s certificate and publication on The Holmes Law Firm website and other professional publications and venues.

Third Prize:
Includes a cash award of $250, “Private Justice Prize” winner’s certificate and publication on The Holmes Law Firm website and other professional publications and venues.

* Expenses covered include registration, airfare, and two nights of lodging.

Publication

Winning papers will be published by The Holmes Law Firm on the firm’s website and in publications, conferences and seminars focusing on ADR and Private Justice issues. Those submitting papers thereby consent to and The Holmes Law Firm reserves all rights for publication and redistribution.

Deadline

Please submit your paper before midnight on Monday, January 3, 2011, PST. Submissions received after this time will not be considered.

Send to

All submissions should be emailed to dvitoshka@theholmeslawfirm.com by midnight on Monday, January 3, 2011, PST. You should receive a confirmation email within 48 hours of submission. Please note that if you do not receive a confirmation email, we have not received your work.