The Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Celebration Task Force is again sponsoring a video contest for Alabama law students to increase participation in pro bono work and raise awareness of pro bono efforts, programs, and providers throughout the state. The theme of the contest is Why Pro Bono Matters.

Videos are due October 1, 2021. 

Video Length and Format

Videos should be at least 30 seconds long and no more than 2 minutes long. Videos may be live, animated, or motion graphics. All video entries must be submitted in digital file format (MP4 preferred).

Videos must be submitted via Dropbox. Entrants should keep at least one copy of their video. Entrants may only submit original works.

Suggested Topics

Videos should highlight the need for and importance of pro bono work.  Submissions may focus on a specific project, such as a monthly clinic, or an organization such as a volunteer lawyer’s program or the law school’s pro bono program. Videos can be from the volunteer attorney’s, client’s, or program’s perspective. Some suggested partners for the video are law student organizations, pro bono programs, legal services providers, or law school faculty and staff.

Complete Entry Information and Submit Releases

In addition to uploading video entries to Dropbox, entrants must complete the Entrant Information Form. Please be sure that the name of the video on the entry form matches the name of the video submitted to Dropbox.

Entrants must also sign and submit a mandatory release with the video. Releases must be signed by any person featured in the video as well. Entrants must submit the releases with the video in Dropbox.

Contest Prize

The contest winner will receive one CLE registration* per team member up to a maximum of 5 to the 2022 Alabama State Bar Young Lawyers Section CLE in Orange Beach, Alabama.   Law students will have the opportunity to meet officers of the Alabama State Bar Young Lawyers and network with young lawyers from across the state while attending informational sessions about Alabama law. The winning video will be recognized on the Alabama State Bar website and in the state bar newsletter, the Scoop;  the Video will be used and shared by the Pro Bono Celebration Task Force and their partners.

*Approximate value $250, does not include lodging or travel expenses

Contest Deadline

All submissions must be received by October 1, 2021, at 11:59 pm. Submissions must include:

• Video (Mp4 Format Preferred)
• Contest Registration Form
• Video Release Form
• Individual Testimonial Release Form (for each participant featured in the video, submit with video via Dropbox)

Selection of Winning Video

Social media (Facebook and Instagram) voting will be 75% of the total score and will take place October 10-16, 2021. Social media voting rules will be emails to participants. In-person judging will be 25% of the total score.

In-person judges will be looking at:

• Visual Appeal
• Overall impression of the narrative
• Audio and visual quality
• Level of motivation in the video
• Compelling idea
• Attention to detail

American Bar Association Law Student Video Contest

Why win one contest if you can win two? Consider submitting your video to the American Bar Association Law Student Video Contest as well.  Please note that you will need to execute separate releases found on the ABA’s contest site when you submit your video to that contest.