Update on the 2024 Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition

While judging for the 2025 Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition is still underway, we have exciting news to share! The winning papers from the 2024 competition are now available for review.

This annual legal writing competition encourages law students to produce scholarly work focused on trust and estate law. Reviewing last year’s winning submissions is a great way to deepen your understanding of current topics in the field and gain insight into what future practitioners are exploring.

Take a moment to explore the 2024 winning papers—it’s an inspiring look at the next generation of thought leaders in trust and estate law!

First Place Winner:

Ashley Pyle of University of San Diego School of Law — “A Toxic Inheritance: Addressing the Legal Implications of Inheriting Hazardous Waste Land”

Second Place Winner:

McKenzie Paulsen of Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University — “Your Digital Life”

Honorable Mention Winners:

Jordan Miletti of University of Detroit Mercy Law — “Testamentary Freedom and Forced Heirship: Two Sides of the Same Inheritance Coin?”

Krystian Seebert of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law —  “Upon Further Consideration:  The Case for Trusts as Contracts”