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.
2024 Competition Winners
For the first time in the competition's 22-year history, two briefs tied for first place. The winners of the 2024 Best Brief Competition are Andrew Reed and Kaitlyn Spiegl.
The other three finalists, Allyson Berri, Emma Dzwierzynski, and Lindsey Govan, tied for second place. It was a remarkable year.
Congratulations to these great legal writers!
Recent Winners
2023 Best Brief Winner - Amber Renee Quinlan
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
LR&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 Aaron Neeley, Class of 2023, and LR&W II Professor Ashby Fox. (Not pictured: LRW I Professor Alison Stites.)
2020 Best Brief Winner - Kyle J. Clark
LR&W II Professor Andrew Turner, Winner Kyle J. Clark, Class of 2022, and Dean Daniel Tokaji. (Not pictured: LRW I Professor Ashby Fox.)
Previous Winners
2010-2019 Winners
2019 Best Brief Winner - Olivia Schwartz
LR&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
LR&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
LR&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
LR&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
LR&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
LR&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
Dean 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
LR&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
Dean 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
LR&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
Winner Kyle Fry, Class of 2011; Dean Kenneth B. Davis; LR&W Professor Mullen Dowdal.
2008 Best Brief Winner - Ryan Masse
Winner Ryan Masse, Class of 2010; LR&W Professor Margaret Baumgartner; Dean Kenneth B. Davis.
2007 Best Brief Winner - Emily Gold
LR&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
Dean Kenneth B. Davis; Winner Eric Huston, Class of 2008; LR&W Professor Margaret Baumgartner.
2005 Best Brief Winner - Crystal Uebelher
Susan 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
Winner 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.
