Writing Prize Winners
The Program on Biblical Law and Christian Legal Studies currently awards a total of four (4) HLS writing prizes, with two (2) writing prizes for the best student papers in each of the two categories. Below are the winners since the inaugural contest.
2024-2025 Harvard Law School Student Writing Prize Winners
Christianity and the Law:
“The Law in Paul’s Letter to the Romans” Benjamin Holbrook, J.D. 2026
“From Synderesis to Specific Performance: Conscience and the Architecture of Equity” James Pennell, J.D. 2025
Jewish Law and Society:
“Chasing Just and Fair Resolutions in Holocaust Art Restitution Claims” Shanee Kay, J.D. 2026
“The Herem of Rabbi Gershom: Protecting Women’s Rights through Legal Procedure” Esther Pomerantz, J.D. 2025
2023-2024 Harvard Law School Student Writing Prize Winners
Christianity and the Law:
“Service in Two Cities: Biblical Guideposts for a Christian Lawyer Serving in Government” Brandon Sharp, J.D. 2024
Jewish Law and Society:
“From Passover to Property Rights: Reframing the Ownership Question in the Shareholder/Stakeholder Debate” Jonathan I. Frieden, J.D. 2024
2022-2023 Harvard Law School Student Writing Prize Winners
Biblical Law:
“Correcting Judicial Errors in Jewish Law: The Gulf Between Theory and Practice” William Gelley, LL.M. 2023
Judeo-Christian Legal Thought/The Intersection of Faith & Law:
“Are Kosher Laws Kosher?” Michael Snow, J.D. 2023
2021-2022 Harvard Law School Student Writing Prize Winners
Judeo-Christian Legal Thought/The Intersection of Faith & Law:
“Absent Husbands, Waiting Wives: A Case Study in Civilian Interpretation” Alexander Schwennicke, J.D. 2022
2020-2021 Harvard Law School Student Writing Prize Winners
Biblical Law:
“The Bible, Christian Doctrine, and Lending Money” Dana Schneider, J.D. 2022
Judeo-Christian Legal Thought/The Intersection of Faith & Law:
“The Freedom of Religious Integrity” Sean Lau, J.D. 2022
2019-2020 Harvard Law School Student Writing Prize Winners
Judeo-Christian Legal Thought/The Intersection of Faith & Law:
“The Priest-Penitent Privilege in a Post-Scandal World: Federal Inaction and State Abrogation” Jacob Thackston, J.D. 2020
