The Best Brief Competition is an annual event that recognizes outstanding legal writing by first-year students, in which the Legal Analysis, Advocacy, and Writing (LAAW) faculty select the best briefs written by their students. The winner is chosen by a panel of Wisconsin attorneys and a panel of law school faculty.

        

Recent Winners

2024 Best Brief Winners - Andrew Reed and Kaitlyn Spiegl

For the first time in the competition's 22-year history, two briefs tied for first place. 

Winner stands together with their professors and the dean.
LRW I Professor Andrew Turner, Winner Andrew Reed, Class of 2026, Dean Daniel Tokaji, and LRW II Professor Andrew Norman.
Winner stands together with their professors and the dean.
LRW II Professor Andrew Norman, LRW I Professor Desmund Wu,
Winner Kaitlyn Spiegl, Class of 2026, and Dean Daniel Tokaji.

2023 Best Brief Winner - Amber Renee Quinlan

A group photo showing the 2023 Best Brief winner, Amber Renee Quinlan, standing with professors and the Law School Dean in front of a bookshelf. LRW I Professor Andrew Norman, LRW II Professor Ashby Fox, Winner Amber Renee Quinlan, Class of 2025, and Dean Daniel Tokaji.

  

2022 Best Brief Winner - Nicholas Surprise

Dean Daniel Tokaji, Winner Nicholas Surprise, and LRW Professor Ashby FoxLR&W II Professor Ashby Fox, Winner Nicholas Surprise, Class of 2024, and Dean Daniel Tokaji.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Kim Peterson.)

2021 Best Brief Winner - Jacob Aaron Neeley

Dean Daniel Tokaji, Winner Jacob Neeley, and LRW Professor Ashby Fox Dean Daniel Tokaji, Winner Jacob Aaron Neeley, Class of 2023, and LR&W II Professor Ashby Fox.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Alison Stites.)

 

Previous Winners

2010-2020 Winners

2020 Best Brief Winner - Kyle J. Clark

LRW professor andrew turner, winner kyle clark, and dean daniel tokaji on bascom hillLR&W II Professor Andrew Turner, Winner Kyle J. Clark, Class of 2022, and Dean Daniel Tokaji.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Ashby Fox.)

2019 Best Brief Winner - Olivia Schwartz

Andrew Taylor and Dean Raymond present Olivia Schwartz with the Best Brief awardLR&W II Professor Andrew Turner, Winner Olivia Schwartz, Class of 2021, and Dean Margaret Raymond.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Sarah Hadjimarkos.)

2018 Best Brief Winner - Sarah Wertz

2018 Best Brief Winner, Sarah Wertz (at center), with Professor Trina Tinglum and Dean RaymondLR&W II Professor Trina Tinglum; Winner Sarah Wertz, Class of 2020; Dean Margaret Raymond.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Ursula Weigold.)

2017 Best Brief Winner - Lindsey Rose Klarkowski

2016 Best Brief Winner, Lindsey Rose Klarkowski, Class of 2018LR&W II Professor Sarah Hadjimarkos; Winner Lindsey Rose Klarkowski, Class of 2019; Dean Margaret Raymond.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Kim Peterson.)

2016 Best Brief Winner - Laura E. Schroeder

2016 Best Brief Winner, Laura E. Schroeder, Class of 2018LR&W II Professor Margaret Baumgartner; Winner Laura E. Schroeder, Class of 2018; Dean Margaret Raymond.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Andrew Turner.)

2015 Best Brief Winner - Joseph S. Diedrich

2015 Best Brief Winner, Joseph S. Diedrich, Class of 2017LR&W II Professor Margaret Baumgartner; Winner Joseph S. Diedrich, Class of 2017; Dean Margaret Raymond.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Sarah Hadjimarkos.)

2014 Best Brief Winner - Catherine E. White

2014 Best Brief Winner, Catherine E. White, Class of 2016LR&W II Professor Margaret Baumgartner; Winner Catherine E. White, Class of 2016; Dean Margaret Raymond.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Mullen Dowdal.)

2013 Best Brief Winner - 1L - Daniel Poniatowski

2013 Best Brief Winner - 1L, Daniel Poniatowski, Class of 2015Dean Margaret Raymond; Winner Daniel Poniatowski, Class of 2015; LR&W II Professor Margaret Baumgartner.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Kim Peterson.)

2012-2013 Best Brief Winner - 2L - Bryce A. Schoenborn

2012-2013 Best Brief Winner - 2L, Bryce A. Schoenborn, Class of 2014LR&W II Professor Timothy Barber; Winner Bryce A. Schoenborn, Class of 2014; Dean Margaret Raymond.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Mullen Dowdal.)

2011 Best Brief Winner - Brian McCall

2011 Best Brief Winner - Brian McCallDean Margaret Raymond; Winner Brian McCall, Class of 2013; LR&W II Professor Margaret Baumgartner.  (Not pictured:  LRW I Professor Julia Belt.)

2010 Best Brief Winner - David W. Staple

2010 Best Brief Winner - David W. StapleLR&W I & II Professor Deborah Moritz; Winner David W. Staple, Class of 2013; Dean Kenneth B. Davis. 

2000-2009 Winners

2009 Best Brief Winner - Kyle Fry

2009 Best Brief Winner, Kyle Fry, Class of 2011Winner Kyle Fry, Class of 2011; Dean Kenneth B. Davis; LR&W Professor Mullen Dowdal.

2008 Best Brief Winner - Ryan Masse

2008 Best Brief Winner, Ryan Masse, Class of 2010Winner Ryan Masse, Class of 2010; LR&W Professor Margaret Baumgartner; Dean Kenneth B. Davis. 

2007 Best Brief Winner - Emily Gold

2007 Best Brief Winner, Emily Gold, Class of 2009LR&W Professors Deborah Moritz (not pictured), spring semester, and  Margaret Baumgartner, fall semester; Winner Emily Gold, Class of 2009; Dean Kenneth B. Davis; Susan Steingass, Director of Communication & Advocacy Program

2006 Best Brief Winner - Eric Huston

2006 Best Brief Winner, Eric Huston, Class of 2008Dean Kenneth B. Davis; Winner Eric Huston, Class of 2008; LR&W Professor Margaret Baumgartner. 

2005 Best Brief Winner - Crystal Uebelher

2005 Best Brief Winner, Crystal Uebelher, Class of 2007Susan Steingass, Director of Communication and Advocacy Program; Winner Crystal Uebelher, Class of 2007; LR&W Professor Virginia Hayes; Dean Kenneth B. Davis; LR&W Professor Emily Kokie.

2004 Best Brief Winner - David Connally

Winner: David Connally, Class of 2006
LR&W Professors: Virginia Hayes, fall semester; Scott Peterson, spring semester.

2003 Best Brief Winner - Laura Schulteis

2003 Best Brief Winner, Laura Schulteis, Class of 2005Winner Laura Schulteis, Class of 2005; Susan Steingass, Director of Communication and Advocacy Program; Dean Kenneth B. Davis.

Not pictured:  LR&W Professors Joy Burkholder, fall semester, and Shunette Campbell, spring semester.

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