State Bar of New Mexico Contact: Diana M. Sandoval, Assistant Editor State Bar of New Mexico – Communications PO Box 25883, Albuquerque, NM 87125 E-mail: msais@nmbar.org Activity Summary: The State Bar of New Mexico’s Law Day activity – a high school essay contest – is conducted through its Public Legal Education Committee (PLEC) with the financial support (for award winners) of an Albuquerque law firm. The committee members work to develop a topic and fictitious scenario with background information, along with a list of possible essay questions. The content material is developed based on regional topics that have received media attention or have the potential to cause legal disputes. This year’s contest topic was high school dress codes. Previous topic subjects include high school sporting controversies and the preservation of an endangered species. Once the content material is developed, the materials are then sent to every New Mexico high school, a mailing of about 350 packets, inviting junior- and senior-class students to participate. Additionally, the State Bar Communications Department sends press releases to all print media in an effort to reach students who may not receive the information through local educators. Upon receipt of all entries, the essays are judged by PLEC members, who score individual essays based on content, originality and writing style. The top-scoring essays are then submitted to three finalist judges who use the same scoring criteria. The final top three essays are culled from the second round of judging and become the first-, second- and third-place winners, receiving $700, $350, and $150, respectively. Cash prizes are provided by an Albuquerque law firm. The winners are notified that their essays are among the top three, but not told specifically which award they’ve won. Student winners, along with their parents and teachers, are invite4d to attend a Law Day luncheon co-sponsored by the State Bar and local bar organizations, at which they are presented with their awards by PLEC members and a representative of the co-sponsoring law firm. The State Bar’s essay contest is now in its ninth year and has received widespread support from educators throughout the state. This year, the bar budgeted $400 for the project to cover the cost of production and mailing of the materials. Each year, the bar receives more than 200 essays for consideration from all across New Mexico. The intent of the contest is to support and promote local education through an activity that we hope also will help to develop an interest in and appreciation for the legal profession and the law. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization