The Best Brief Competition is an annual event in which the Legal Research & Writing (LR&W) 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

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.)

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.)

 

Previous Winners

2010-2019 Winners

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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