TO: HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, HIGH SCHOOL LAW COORDINATORS
FROM: Vanda Belusic-Vollor, Executive Director, Office of Postsecondary Readiness Division of
Accountability, Performance and Support, Melissa Silberman, Deputy Executive Director, Office of
Postsecondary Readiness Division of Accountability, Performance and Support, David Fischer,
Senior Director for Career and Technical Education, Office of Postsecondary Readiness Division of
Accountability, Performance and Support, Debra Lesser, Director, Justice Resource Center
SUBJECT: INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY ESSAY CONTEST FOR
10th, 11TH AND 12TH GRADE STUDENTS
______________________________________________________________________________
The Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York and the New York Law
Journal have partnered with the New York City Dept. of Education to sponsor the eleventh annual
essay contest on the independence of the judiciary for 10th, 11th and 12th grade public high
school students. Ten students will win the opportunity to intern for one week during the summer
with a Justice of the Supreme Court and earn a $100 savings bond. A maximum of five entries
from each school will be considered. One of the winning essays will be published in the New York
Law Journal a legal periodical published by the ALM, and in The Jurist, a publication of the
Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
The Law Day theme for 2012, “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom” provides the opportunity to
highlight the role of the nation’s courts in our constitutional democracy and to foster public
understanding about the judiciary.
To appreciate this year’s theme, it is important to consider what the nature and function of
“courts” are and what the principles of “justice” and “freedom” represent. In short, it is essential
to understand that without our courts, we would have neither justice nor freedom.
Students should write a 500 word essay presenting a compelling discussion on the topic
One can begin the process of understanding this theme by looking at how these terms are
defined legally:
Court: a governmental body consisting of one or more judges
who sit to adjudicate disputes and administer justice.
Justice: The fair and proper administration of laws.
Freedom: Having legal and political rights; enjoying political and civil liberty.
The following websites may assist your students in their research – other resources may be
used. All sources should be credited.
LINKS:
Statues
1. http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi
2. http://www.loc.gov/law/ (Law Library of Congress)
3. www.nycourts.gov/lawlibrarys/ (NYC Legal Resources Fed)
Federal Case Law
1. wwwlaw.cornell.edu/federal/opinions.html
New York Case Law
1. www.nycourts.gov/decesisions /index.shtml
1.New York State Courts: Legal Research
Portal:
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/research.htm
1. Law Review Links:
Albany Law School: http://www.albanylawreview.org/
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law: http://www.cardozolawreview.com/
Brooklyn Law
School: http://www.brooklaw.edu/intellectuallife/lawjournals/brooklynlawreview/generalinformati
on.aspx?
City University of New York School of Law at Queens College:http://www.cunylawreview.org/
Columbia Law School: http://www.columbialawreview.org/
Cornell Law School: http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/research/cornell-law-review/
Fordham University School of Law: http://law.fordham.edu/fordham-law-review/lawreview.htm
Hofstra University School of Law: http://law.hofstra.edu/academics/journals/lawreview/
New York Law School: http://www.nylslawreview.com/
New York University School of Law: http://www.law.nyu.edu/journals/lawreview/
Pace Law School: http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/plr/
St. John's University School of
Law: http://www.stjohns.edu/academics/graduate/law/journals/lawreview/
Syracuse University College of Law: http://www.law.syr.edu/student-life/publications/law-review/
Touro College Law Center: http://www.tourolaw.edu/lawreview/
University at Buffalo Law School: http://www.buffalolawreview.org/
OTHER
1. Law Library Association of Greater New York: Legal Research
Guide:http://www.aallnet.org/chapter/llagny/ny.html
2. Law.com Blog Network:
http://www.law.com/jsp/law/lawblogs.jsp
3. New York Law Journal
www.newyorklawjournal.com
The Following Rules Apply:
The dates of the internship will be arranged according to the needs of the student winner.
The internship will include:Attendance at trials, research with the law clerk, instruction in the use
of a law library,
education regarding legal terminology in a real world environment,
exposure to law -related careers - e.g. court clerk, court officer, court reporter, law clerk and
judge.
The essays should be evaluated at the school. Each school is to submit a maximum of five (5)
essays along with a completed cover sheet (attached). The winning essays from each school
should be mailed to:
ASSOCIATION OF SUPREME COURT JUDGES OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
HON. ROBERT J. MILLER
SUPREME COURT OF NEW YORK
320 JAY STREET
BROOKLYN, NY 11201
DEADLINE: December 15, 2011
Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to Debra Lesser, Justice Resource Center
at (212) 580-5905 or dlesser@schools.nyc.gov or Paulina Ellis at 347-2961836Pellis@courts.state.ny.us.
The prizes will be awarded at a ceremony. Date and location to be announced .
cc: Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott
Steven Lincoln