Law Center News
Southern University Law Center Students Recognized in Louisiana Supreme Court Writing Competition
Southern University Law Center (SULC) proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Louisiana Supreme Court Writing Competition. This year's competition offered SULC students a prestigious platform to demonstrate their legal writing, analytical thinking, and persuasive advocacy on real cases decided by Louisiana’s highest court.
The competition was launched in conjunction with the Louisiana Supreme Court’s historic visit to Southern University Law Center in March of 2025. As part of this landmark engagement, students were invited to participate in a case analysis writing competition which served as an opportunity to engage directly with legal precedent and judicial reasoning. Participants were asked to choose one of four recently decided cases by the Louisiana Supreme Court and craft a written analysis that went beyond summary, requiring thoughtful critique and independent legal reasoning.
To complete the assignment, each student was required to:
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Summarize the essential facts and procedural history of their selected case, including a breakdown of the legal dispute, parties involved, and issues considered.
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Analyze the court’s reasoning in its ruling, while also crafting their own perspective on how the case should have been decided.
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Support their arguments with relevant legal authority, sound logic, and a clear command of legal writing techniques.
After a rigorous evaluation process by the competition’s judges, three students were selected as the top finalists for their outstanding submissions. Alecia James earned the first-place award of $1,500, generously sponsored by attorney Tony Clayton; Jalen Garrison was awarded the second-place prize of $1,000, sponsored by Chancellor Alvin Washington; and Tierra Butler received the third-place prize of $500, sponsored by Etta Kay Hearn.
The Southern University Law Center extends sincere gratitude to the Louisiana Supreme Court for its continued support of legal education and to the generous sponsors who helped make this opportunity possible.
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