Young Lawyers Division Law Week
Law Week events are made possible by grant funding from the North Carolina Bar Foundation Endowment in cooperation with the Young Lawyers Division of the North Carolina Bar Association.
Law Day was inspired by Charles S. Rhyne, president of the American Bar Association in 1957-58 who practiced law in Washington, D.C. In deference to the Cold War and the Soviet Union’s commemoration of May Day, Rhyne drafted the founding Law Day resolution and personally delivered it to President Dwight D. Eisenhower who proclaimed May 1, 1958, as the first Law Day.
Every year since, the President has officially proclaimed May 1 as Law Day throughout the United States. The North Carolina Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Division, through a formal proclamation by the Governor of North Carolina, celebrate Law Day on the first Friday in May.
2024 Law Day Theme: Voices of Democracy
The Voices of Democracy Law Day theme encourages Americans to participate in the 2024 elections by deepening their understanding of the electoral process; discussing issues in honest and civil ways; turning out to vote; and, finally, helping to move the country forward after free and fair elections. In this way, Americans ensure that our government remains responsive to the wishes of the people.
The NCBA’s observance of Law Day will be Friday, May 3, 2024.
All awards will be presented during the Law Day celebration. For questions, please contact Cheyenne Merrigan at [email protected].
Liberty Bell Award
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Liberty Bell Award. As we celebrate the 66th anniversary of Law Day and this year’s theme of “Voices of Democracy,” we encourage submissions reflecting the theme in our state. The recipient should be someone who exemplifies lifelong service to the law in North Carolina. We request that full information be given about each candidate’s qualifications, including a resume or brief description of the nominee’s career accomplishments.
The deadline for Liberty Bell Award nominations is Friday, March 15, 2024.
Regional Moot Court Competition – Grades 9-12
The Moot Court competition is an opportunity where North Carolina high school students and their respective schools can participate in Law Day and potentially earn rewards in recognition of their efforts. The deadline to register for the regional competition is Sunday, February 25, 2024 by submitting the form. The semi-final moot court competition will be held virtually on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm and will consist of two rounds. The final round of the competition will be argued on Law Day, Friday, May 3, 2024 in the North Carolina Supreme Court Courtroom, located at 2 East Morgan Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27601. The final round judges will select the winning team. The finalists will be honored at the Law Day ceremony held immediately following the competition.
The North Carolina Bar Association Law Week and Liberty Bell Committee would like to send a special thanks to the American Bar Association NAAC Subcommittee for allowing us to use their problem for the 2024 Law Day Moot Court Competition.
Poster Contest – Grades K-5
The Poster Art Contest is intended to be a fun and challenging experience. It offers an opportunity for North Carolina students in kindergarten through fifth grade and their respective schools to participate in Law Day and potentially earn rewards in recognition of their efforts.
The deadline for submissions is March 10, 2024 and winners will notified in April 2024. Submissions can be submitted through the link below or by mail to the NCBA c/o Cheyenne Merrigan at 8000 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513.
Essay Contest – Grades 6-8 and 9-12
The Essay Contest is intended to be a fun and challenging experience. It offers an opportunity for North Carolina students in sixth through twelfth grades and their respective schools to participate in Law Day and potentially earn rewards in recognition of their efforts.
The deadline for submissions is March 10, 2024 and winners will notified in April 2024. Submissions can be submitted through the link below or by mail to the NCBA c/o Cheyenne Merrigan at 8000 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513.
McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge
The McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge is a program implemented with the primary purpose of encouraging students to embrace and practice the principles of good citizenship. It provides high school and middle school students with a unique opportunity to identify a problem in their community, research potential solutions, and make recommendations. Student participants will prepare a 3-5 minute persuasive speech to inspire and challenge others to participate in the solution to the identified problem.
Students should register to participate in the McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge by Friday, March 1, 2024.
For questions, please contact the NCBF at [email protected].