John F. Burton Jr. Law Student Writing Competition

Open to students enrolled at accredited U.S. law schools and recent graduates (within one year of graduation). Papers may address any aspect of workers' compensation law, including public policy issues, case critiques, or statutory commentary.

First prize is $3,000 plus an additional $1,000 to the winner's law school scholarship fund. Second prize is $1,500 and third prize is $1,000. The winning article may be considered for publication in Workers' First Watch or the ABA Tort and Insurance Practice Section Law Journal.

Articles of 10 to 20 pages are submitted by email to susan.wan@cwclawyers.org by January 31 each year. The 2026 competition accepted submissions through January 31, 2026.

The College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers honors John F. Burton Jr., a leading workers' compensation scholar, through this annual writing contest.