Hon. Constance Brown Motley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Essay Competition

The Federal Bar Association’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and the Younger Lawyers Division invite Law Students and Younger Federal Practitioners to participate in this inaugural essay competition.

The Federal Bar Association’s Honorable Constance Baker Motley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Young Member Essay Competition was created to celebrate the life of the Honorable Constance Baker Motley (September 14, 1921 – September 28, 2005) and promote her legacy by encouraging law students and younger federal practitioners to promote, achieve, and sustain diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession.

The Competition is named after Judge Baker Motley, the first African American woman appointed to the United States federal judiciary and the first woman judge in the Southern District of New York. She was a key leader of the African American civil rights movement, a lawyer, judge, state senator, and Borough President of Manhattan, New York City.

Eligibility

The Competition is open to all full or part-time law students seeking a Juris Doctor (JD) or a Master of Laws (LLM), any federal practitioner or professionals under the age of 40-years-old, or who have been practicing ten years or less, whether a current member of the Federal Bar Association or a prospective member.

The submissions will address strategies to promote, achieve and sustain diversity, equity, and inclusion in federal practice and be no longer than 500 words. Please note: the judging portion of the essay competition will redact an individual’s identifying information.

Prizes

Four winning essays will be selected. A national first prize winner will be selected by a panel assembled by the FBA Diversity and Inclusion Committee receiving a cash grand prize of $1,000 and submission publication in The Federal Lawyer. A second-place winner will receive a $500 cash prize, $250 for third, and $100 for honorable mention.

Deadline

Submissions must be emailed by 5:00 pm on May 13, 2022, via the FBA web portal.